The Vatican kept St. Peter’s Basilica open throughout the night to accommodate tens of thousands of mourners arriving to pay their last respects to Pope Francis, who died Monday at the age of 88 following a stroke. The overwhelming turnout prompted Vatican officials to close the basilica for just one hour early Thursday morning for cleaning, a rare move that underscored the depth of global admiration for the late pontiff.
Francis, known for his humility, message of inclusion, and advocacy for the poor, lies in state in a simple wooden casket beneath the hushed grandeur of the basilica. The line of mourners stretched down the stately Via della Conciliazione and through the Holy Door, with faithful pilgrims willing to wait up to five hours to say goodbye.
Many found solace in community during the vigil. Emiliano Fernandez from Mexico said the wait was a small sacrifice to honor a man who deeply inspired him, especially during the pope’s 2016 visit to his home country. Others, like Rosa Scorpati from Calabria, brought their children to bid farewell, acknowledging that while they might not fully understand, it was important to be present.
More than 20,000 people filed past the pope’s body during the first eight and a half hours of public viewing on Wednesday. A diverse array of mourners included a church youth group from Milan, a woman offering thanks after a successful surgery, and visitors like Humbeline Coroy from France, who saw the moment as a reflection of her work with the poor and disabled.
Francis’ legacy as a reformer and bridge-builder resonated strongly. “He brought many people together by encouraging coexistence,” said Ivenes Bianco, a mourner from Brindisi.
A funeral Mass, expected to draw world leaders, will be held Saturday in St. Peter’s Square. Francis will then be laid to rest in the St. Mary Major Basilica, near his favorite Madonna icon.
As Riccardo Ojedea of Colombia put it, “He left a very important legacy for everyone to make this world happier.”
