Tens of Thousands Pay Final Respects to Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Basilica
Nearly 50,000 mourners gathered over two days in Vatican City to pay their last respects to Pope Francis, whose body lies in state in an open coffin at St. Peter’s Basilica.
The beloved pontiff passed away on Monday at the age of 88 following complications from a stroke and pneumonia. His death marks the end of a 12-year papacy that redefined the Catholic Church’s image with compassion, humility, and global outreach.
Originally scheduled to close at midnight, the basilica’s doors remained open through the night as throngs of faithful queued for hours—some waiting up to eight—to say goodbye. From teary-eyed pilgrims to world leaders, the outpouring was as diverse as it was heartfelt.
Red-robed cardinals and Swiss Guards solemnly escorted the coffin in a dignified 40-minute procession through the square, as bells tolled and crowds applauded in a moving sign of respect.
“He was a saint who walked among us,” said Luis from Mexico, who visited during his honeymoon. “He will bless us from heaven.”
Mary Ellen, an American immigrant rights worker, traveled overnight by train. “Pope Francis was a true Christian—humble and fearless. I came to thank him.”
Inside the grand basilica, mourners prayed quietly beneath the towering marble statues of saints, pausing for moments of reflection at the Pope’s casket. Despite the crowd, the atmosphere remained reverent and still.
Public viewing continues until Friday evening, ahead of Saturday’s funeral. In accordance with his wishes, Pope Francis will be laid to rest not in St. Peter’s, but in a modest Marian church in central Rome—his grave marked only by his name.
As the Vatican enters the Sede Vacante—the period between popes—the world bids farewell to a man whose legacy will echo far beyond the walls of the Holy See.
