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Mourners Pay Respects to Pope Francis as Body Lies in State

Pope Francis is currently lying in state at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, where mourners are gathering to honor the late pontiff, who passed away recently at the age of 88.

His body was transported from the Casa Santa Marta, his residence at the Vatican, to St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday, April 23, at 9 a.m. local time, according to an official statement from the Vatican. The late pope’s body will remain in the basilica until his burial on Saturday, April 26.

The procession to the basilica spanned approximately 40 minutes, weaving through St. Peter’s Square, as reported by BBC News.

More than 20,000 people gathered to pay tribute to Pope Francis during this somber event, according to the Vatican. As his coffin ascended the steps into the basilica, the crowd erupted into soft applause.

The public will be allowed to view the open casket starting from 11:00 a.m. local time.

In contrast, the 2023 funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI drew tens of thousands of attendees, marking a significant moment for many faithful.

World leaders, such as U.S. President Donald Trump and Prince William, representing King Charles and the British royal family, are expected to attend the upcoming funeral service.

After the service, Pope Francis’ body will be moved to the Basilica of St. Mary Major, which he cherished as his favorite church, where he will be interred.

Notably, Pope Francis expressed in his final wishes a desire to be buried “in the ground, without particular decoration,” with his papal name “Franciscus” inscribed in Latin, as reported by Reuters.

Austen Ivereigh, the pope’s biographer, mentioned that coins minted during Francis’s papacy—one for each year—will also be placed in his coffin.

This burial marks a historic precedent; it will be the first time in over a century that a pope is not laid to rest in St. Peter’s Basilica, according to the BBC.

Pope Francis passed away on Monday, April 21, at 7:35 a.m. local time. The Vatican confirmed that the immediate cause of death was a cerebral stroke, which led to a coma and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse.

Prior to his final hours, he battled several health complications, including acute respiratory failure due to pneumonia, arterial hypertension, and type 2 diabetes.

During the last days of his life, Pope Francis delivered his Easter blessing and interacted with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance before resting, followed by a quiet dinner. The Vatican reported that his health rapidly declined that Monday morning, with symptoms beginning around 5:30 a.m.

In his final moments, according to those present, he made a farewell gesture to his health aide, Massimiliano Strappetti, before slipping into a coma. The Vatican described his passing as discreet and almost sudden, free from prolonged suffering or distress.

Among his last words was a heartfelt “thank you” to Mr. Strappetti, highlighting the gratitude and connection he maintained with those close to him.

Throughout his papacy, Francis faced numerous health challenges, including a significant hospital stay earlier this year. Despite these struggles, he remained dedicated to his work and vocation until his last days.

Austen Ivereigh had previously commented on Francis’s remarkable work ethic, noting that he had not taken a vacation since the 1970s, reflecting his unwavering commitment to his role.

Source
people.com