St. Peter’s Basilica opened its doors at 5:40 a.m. on Friday, welcoming the first visitors who came to honor Pope Francis. His body rested beneath Michelangelo’s iconic dome, and as the day progressed, thousands streamed through the basilica to bid farewell on the final day of public viewing.
The funeral service is scheduled for Saturday, after which Pope Francis will be interred at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, a church that held special significance for him.
Since Wednesday, when the pontiff’s body was transferred from the Vatican guesthouse where he passed away, St. Peter’s has remained nearly open around the clock. By midday Friday, an estimated 150,000 mourners had filed past the coffin.
Wait times to see the coffin varied, sometimes extending to several hours due to the large turnout. Daniela Sirigu, a Rome resident who paid her respects Friday, remarked on the multitude of languages and regional Italian dialects she overheard while waiting. She expressed that seeing the pope one last time was deeply meaningful, acknowledging the immense impact he had on many.
In preparation for the funeral, security agencies intensified their efforts. Authorities began closing roads around Vatican City to accommodate the expected arrival of 162 official delegations, including 12 reigning monarchs and 51 heads of state.
Volunteers wearing lime green vests, civil protection personnel, and Red Cross workers in red vests lined the Vatican’s perimeter to assist visitors, provide directions, and respond to emergencies. Sanitation workers also noted a significant increase in their workload over recent days due to the influx of attendees.
