Thousands Pay Final Respects as Pope Francis Lies in State at St. Peter’s Basilica
A solemn yet powerful moment unfolded in Vatican City on Wednesday as thousands of mourners gathered to honor Pope Francis. Applause—subdued but sustained—rose from the crowd as pallbearers, dressed in black suits and white gloves, carried the late pontiff’s casket on a wooden platform across St. Peter’s Square and into the basilica.
The 88-year-old pope, remembered for his humility and fearless advocacy for the marginalized, will lie in state at St. Peter’s Basilica through Friday evening. The viewing period allows the faithful to say their final goodbyes to a leader who often found himself at odds with the powerful but remained steadfast in his mission of compassion and reform.
“As we now leave this home, let us thank the Lord for the countless gifts he bestowed on the Christian people through his servant, Pope Francis,” said Cardinal Kevin Farrell as the ceremony commenced in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta, where Francis had lived during his papacy. “Let us ask him, in his mercy and kindness, to grant to the late pope an eternal home in the kingdom of heaven.”
An estimated 20,000 people filled the square for the procession. Among them was Maria Pia Caruso, who traveled from northern Italy to bid farewell. “Let’s hope that his successor continues with these changes and there is no going back,” she said, reflecting on Francis’ impact on the Catholic Church.
The Vatican announced that the funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals. The Mass will be concelebrated by patriarchs, cardinals, bishops, and priests from around the globe, ushering in nine days of official mourning.
Breaking with tradition, Pope Francis requested to be buried in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome rather than St. Peter’s, where most popes are interred. He was the first non-European pope in over 1,300 years and hailed from Argentina.
Following his passing, the governance of the Church falls temporarily to Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican’s Camerlengo, assisted by a rotating group of three cardinals selected by lot. The initial trio comprises Cardinal Pietro Parolin (episcopal order), Cardinal Stanisław Ryłko (presbyteral order), and Cardinal Fabio Baggio (diaconal order).
A conclave to elect the next pope is expected to begin between May 6 and May 11. Currently, 135 cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote, out of a total of 252 cardinals.
World leaders are preparing to attend the funeral in Rome. U.S. President Donald Trump will travel from Washington, D.C., on Friday and return the following day. Prince William will represent King Charles, while British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, and several heads of state—including Argentina’s Javier Milei, Brazil’s Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy—have confirmed their attendance.
The Kremlin announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be attending, though it has not yet named a representative. China’s Foreign Ministry has not disclosed whether it will send a delegation.
As the world mourns, the life and legacy of Pope Francis continue to resonate through his enduring message of inclusion, simplicity, and justice.
Reference: Reuters
