Mourners are gathering in Rome to pay their final respects to Pope Francis, whose body was recently moved from his Vatican residence to St. Peter's Basilica in preparation for his funeral on Saturday. The Pope’s open coffin was carried through St. Peter's Square in a solemn procession, attended by an estimated 20,000 pilgrims, according to Vatican media reports.
On Wednesday morning, bells tolled as the coffin of Pope Francis was transported across the square, prompting crowds to applaud—a traditional Italian gesture of respect. The beloved pontiff passed away on Monday at the age of 88 after suffering a stroke and battling double pneumonia, which had necessitated a five-week hospital stay earlier this year. As the first Latin American leader of the Catholic Church, he held the papacy for 12 years.
The procession began at the Casa Santa Marta guesthouse, where the Pope resided. Red-robed cardinals and white-clad priests escorted the coffin to St. Peter's Basilica, a journey that lasted nearly 40 minutes. The Swiss Guards, who are responsible for the Pope's safety, accompanied the coffin to the church's altar.
Pope Francis' body will lie in state at the basilica until Friday evening, with public viewing commencing at 11:00 local time (10:00 BST) on Wednesday. Crowds began assembling early in the morning, with hundreds joining the procession to pay their respects. Among the mourners were Luis and Macarena from Mexico, who traveled to Rome for their honeymoon and expressed hope to receive a special blessing from the Pope.
“Seeing the Pope's final resting place allows us to feel a connection,” Luis shared, adding, “Pope Francis is a saint, and he will bless us from heaven.” American resident Mary Ellen, who traveled overnight to say goodbye, praised the Pope for his humility and kindness, particularly towards immigrants. “He’s fought against the power of the Vatican to uphold true Christian values,” she remarked.
Fredrik, a Ghanaian living in Poland, reflected on the Pope's legacy, stating that it is now up to the faithful to continue the good works he championed. Eva Asensio, a Mexican tourist, expressed her admiration for the Pope's inclusivity, saying, “He united us, no matter our sexual orientation or background.” Margaux, a French resident of Rome, noted that Pope Francis represented hope and emphasized the significance of his progressive social views, wishing that the next Pope would follow in his footsteps.
World dignitaries, including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Prince William, are expected to attend the funeral on Saturday. In keeping with his humble nature, Pope Francis had requested a smaller ceremony. He arranged for a benefactor to fund the event and opted for burial in a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary in central Rome, rather than in St. Peter's Basilica, with a simple tombstone inscribed only with his name.
Before his transfer to St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Francis lay in an open coffin in the chapel of his residence, surrounded by Swiss Guards and cardinals in prayer. His last public appearance was on Easter Sunday, where he addressed the gathered masses from a wheelchair, blessing babies and greeting worshippers as he was driven through the crowd.
With the passing of Pope Francis, his papal apartments have been sealed with wax, marking the beginning of the Sede Vacante—a period of vacancy that will last until a new leader is elected for the Catholic Church.
This poignant moment in Vatican history is not only a reflection on the life of Pope Francis but also a moment for the global Catholic community to come together in remembrance and hope for the future.
