The Vatican is making final preparations for the funeral of Pope Francis, with massive crowds flooding St. Peter’s Basilica to view his open coffin. Over 128,000 mourners have already paid their respects as the pope’s coffin is scheduled to be closed on Friday evening ahead of the funeral service on Saturday. Heads of state and dignitaries from around the world, including U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, are expected to attend the ceremony.
Security in Rome has been heightened, with drones banned, snipers positioned on rooftops, and fighter jets on standby to ensure the safety of the dignitaries and mourners. Additional checkpoints will be activated as the crowds continue to grow.
Mourners have queued for hours to pay their final respects, with many expressing deep affection for the late pope. “We love the pope, we feel blessed to see him one last time,” said Michelle Alcaide, 35, from the Philippines. For many, visiting St. Peter’s Basilica has been a deeply emotional experience. Nicoletta Tomassetti, 60, described her early morning visit as an intimate moment of prayer, hoping for spiritual guidance from the pope even in death.
Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday at the age of 88, was beloved for his reformist approach and commitment to the marginalized. His death marks the end of a transformative 12-year papacy, during which he championed social justice and called for greater inclusion.
Following the funeral, the pope’s coffin will be driven through the streets of Rome, past historical landmarks like the Colosseum, to be buried at his favorite church, the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. The Vatican has confirmed that a group of the poor and needy will be present to welcome the pope’s final resting place.
The process of electing a new pope will soon begin, with cardinals gathering to discuss the next steps, as the world watches closely for the appointment of a successor.
