St Peter’s Basilica welcomes thousands who wish to pay final respects to Pope Francis
St Peter’s Basilica opened to the public on Wednesday, with a reported 20,000 mourners in line to pay their last respects to Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday at the age of 88.
The faithful began gathering in St Peter’s Square in Vatican City in the early morning. The first attendees were admitted to the square shortly after 7.30, ahead of a small procession scheduled for 9.00, during which the Pope’s body was transferred from Casa Santa Marta to the basilica.
At 11.00, the basilica officially opened to the public. Pope Francis will lie in state in St Peter’s until Friday. A state funeral is planned for Saturday morning, drawing leaders and dignitaries from across the globe. From Belgium, prime minister Bart De Wever, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde are expected to attend.
Following the Pope’s death, attention turns to the conclave, the gathering of cardinals tasked with choosing a new pontiff. Cardinals from around the world are expected to arrive in Rome in the coming days. The conclave, held under strict secrecy, usually takes between two and three weeks but can be longer if a consensus cannot be met.
Until a new pope is chosen, the Vatican is under the temporary leadership of Cardinal Kevin Farrell. Born in Ireland and now a naturalised US citizen, Farrell serves as the camerlengo or chamberlain. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing the Church’s daily operations during the interim.
On Monday evening, Cardinal Farrell symbolically sealed the papal apartment in the Apostolic Palace to formally mark the beginning of the mourning period.
© PHOTO VATICAN MEDIA / HANS LUCAS VIA AFP
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