Thousands expected as Pope Francis lies in state at Vatican

The Vatican has begun preparations to honour Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday at the age of 88, with his body moved to St Peter’s Basilica where thousands of mourners are expected. His three-day lying in state will lead up to a major funeral ceremony set for Saturday.

The beloved Argentine spiritual leader, who died after suffering a stroke, will be buried outside the Vatican in a humble final resting place—marking the end of his 12-year papacy known for simplicity and compassion.

The body of the late pope was transferred to the basilica on Wednesday morning in a solemn procession. He will lie in state before the Altar of the Confession beneath Bernini’s grand baldacchino, with public viewing scheduled until Friday evening.

Francis died in the Casa Santa Marta, the modest residence he chose instead of the apostolic palace. His coffin, made of simple wood, was first placed in the chapel at Santa Marta before Wednesday’s ceremonial move to St Peter’s.

Public viewing and farewell rituals

The public can view the late pope’s body from 11:00 am to midnight on Wednesday. Thursday’s visiting hours run from 7:00 am to midnight, and on Friday from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, according to the Vatican.

Saturday’s funeral will be held in the open plaza of St Peter’s Square and is expected to draw hundreds of thousands, including world leaders such as US President Donald Trump, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, and Britain’s Prince William.

After the funeral, the coffin will be taken to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, one of Francis’s favourite churches in Rome, where he will be buried. His grave will be marked with a simple inscription: Franciscus.

Italy on alert for major crowds

Italy has declared five days of national mourning and is preparing for a large influx of visitors during what is already a public holiday weekend. Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi confirmed that 150 to 170 foreign delegations are expected to attend, alongside tens of thousands of pilgrims.

Cardinals under the age of 80 are now being summoned to Rome for the conclave, which must start between 15 and 20 days after the pope’s death. Letters from the Holy See have been dispatched, and general congregations have already started.

The first meeting took place on Tuesday with about 60 cardinals already in Rome. The next one was scheduled for Wednesday, led by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who temporarily manages Church operations as camerlengo.

Final days and lasting impact

Francis had only recently left the hospital after battling pneumonia for five weeks. Despite doctors advising two months of rest, he made public appearances where he appeared visibly weak. On Easter Sunday, the day before his death, he toured St Peter’s Square in his popemobile and greeted crowds.

His death certificate states he died from a stroke, followed by a coma and heart failure.

Images released by the Vatican on Tuesday showed Francis’s body in his coffin inside the Casa Santa Marta chapel. He was dressed in red papal vestments, with a mitre on his head and rosary beads in his hands.

Sister Maria Guadeloupe Hernandez Olivo from Mexico told AFP: “I believe he’s in a better place, no longer suffering, but I do feel this emptiness for our pastor.”

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Sourced:African Insider

Picture: Getty Images