The world stands still as Catholics, pilgrims, and heads of state flood Vatican City to bid farewell to Pope Francis, whose body now lies in state at St. Peter’s Basilica. The beloved pontiff passed away Monday at age 88 following a stroke, ending a 12-year papacy marked by compassion, humility, and reform.
Tens of Thousands Gather at St. Peter’s Square
Under the solemn toll of basilica bells, Pope Francis’s simple wooden coffin was carried from his residence at Santa Marta to the Basilica on Wednesday morning. The procession moved slowly through a sea of mourners, flanked by red-robed cardinals and the iconic Swiss Guards in full ceremonial attire.
Crowds lined the square, many with tears in their eyes, phones in hand, and prayers on their lips, as the Pope made his final journey to lie before the Altar of the Confession beneath Michelangelo’s majestic dome.
Anna Montoya, a pilgrim from Mexico, summed up the emotional atmosphere:
“It feels like I lost a family member. He was a good man, the kind of leader the Church truly needed.”
A Humble Goodbye for a Humble Leader
True to his reputation for simplicity, Pope Francis’s coffin rests on a low bier, far less ornate than those used for his predecessors. His body will remain on public view until Saturday’s state funeral, which is expected to draw a global audience of mourners.
World leaders including U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, and Britain’s Prince William are among those expected to attend, along with hundreds of thousands of pilgrims from across the globe.
Rome Braces for Record Crowds and High Security
Italy has declared five days of national mourning, more than the three days observed for Pope John Paul II in 2005. Security has been ramped up in and around the Vatican, with water stations, crowd control barriers, and police checkpoints already in place.
Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi confirmed that 150 to 170 foreign delegations are expected to attend the funeral.
Heartfelt Tributes From the Faithful
As the Vatican prepares for an emotional farewell, personal stories from mourners continue to pour in.
Pasquale Apolito, a teacher from Rome, said:
“I wasn’t planning to come, but something in my heart told me to be here. He listened, he welcomed everyone. He will be deeply missed.”
Sister Maria Guadalupe Hernandez Olivo, also from Mexico, added:
“His death came so suddenly. I know he’s in a better place, but I feel the emptiness. He was our shepherd.”
A New Era Approaches: Cardinals to Elect Successor
With the mourning period underway, attention will soon shift to the selection of Pope Francis’s successor. The Vatican has already begun preparations for the conclave, which will officially begin between 15 to 20 days after the Pope’s death.
Only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote. The election process will be led by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the camerlengo, who now oversees the daily operations of the Church until a new pope is elected.
Francis’s Final Days: A Shepherd to the End
Just one day before his death, Pope Francis made a final appearance in St. Peter’s Square, riding in the Popemobile and greeting the faithful after Easter Mass. Despite recent hospitalizations and serious health issues, he refused to rest, continuing to serve until the very end.
His death certificate confirms he passed peacefully at 7:35 a.m. on Monday, following a stroke, coma, and heart failure.
After the funeral, Pope Francis will be laid to rest at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, a church dear to him throughout his life. His grave will bear a simple inscription: Franciscus.
