Tens of Thousands Bid Final Farewell to Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Basilica

Tens of Thousands Bid Final Farewell to Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Basilica

Vatican City, April 25 – Tens of thousands of mourners filled St. Peter’s Basilica through the night and into Friday morning to pay their final respects to Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday at the age of 88 after suffering a stroke.

The basilica remained open for nearly the entire night, only closing briefly between 2:30 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. to prepare for the continued flow of visitors. Since the pope’s body was brought to the basilica in a solemn procession on Wednesday, nearly 130,000 people from around the globe have passed through to bid him farewell, according to the Vatican.

Long lines formed again early Friday, stretching halfway down the main boulevard leading into the Vatican. Pilgrims waited patiently—some for several hours—to spend just a few moments in silent reflection before the late pontiff’s coffin.

Vatican officials confirmed that public viewing would end at 7 p.m. Friday, followed by a private sealing of the coffin led by eight cardinals, including Pope Francis’ personal secretaries and a U.S. prelate who has faced past controversy.

Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, speaking to la Repubblica, reflected on the pope’s legacy: “What surprised me was how determined he was to serve the Church and love his people with all his energy, to the very end.”

A conclave to elect the next pope is expected to begin no earlier than May 6. In the interim, the global College of Cardinals is overseeing the Church’s affairs, with 113 cardinals already in Rome and more arriving daily.

Rome is on high alert as it prepares for Pope Francis’ funeral on Saturday, which will be attended by dignitaries from around the world, including U.S. President Donald Trump, expected to arrive late Friday evening.

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