VATICAN CITY — A human tide of over 250,000 individuals thronged onto the Vatican grounds, eager to pay their final respects to Pope Francis over the span of three public viewing days. These mourners, ranging from everyday admirers to eminent political and ecclesiastical figures, participated in the somber ceremony which culminated on Friday, when his coffin was officially closed in preparation for his state funeral at St. Peter’s Square and subsequent burial. Renowned global personalities gathered in Rome for this momentous occasion, including U.S. President Donald Trump and Argentine President Javier Milei. However, it was the presence of marginalized groups at a small basilica across town that truly embodied Francis’s ethos of humility.
The Vatican unfolded details about the impressive assembly of world leaders, confirming participation from 164 delegations, which included 54 heads of state and 12 reigning monarchs. Among those dignitaries paying their respects was French President Emmanuel Macron, who arrived in time to honor the late pope.
Final moments of reverence saw tens of thousands of mourners standing patiently for hours, eager for a chance to bid Pope Francis a last farewell following his passing at 88 due to a stroke. The overwhelming turnout compelled the Vatican to extend visitations at the basilica well into the night. Within the mourners, Angele Bilegue, a nun devotedly returned for a third occasion, having spent extensive hours praying beside his coffin at his residence within Santa Marta Domus.
As the visitation period concluded, the transition was signified by a changing of guards next to Francis’ open coffin, where he lay ensconced in red robes, a bishop’s miter, and a rosary entwined between his fingers. Symbolic of Francis’s modest life, he was dressed in his worn black shoes, complete with visible scuff marks.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell shouldered the duty of camerlengo and oversaw the solemn closure and sealing of the pope’s coffin. According to images released by the Vatican, a cloth was draped over Francis’ face, and within the coffin, items such as coins from his papacy era and a written document summarizing his life — known as a rogito — were placed. This account chronicled Francis’s journey from his modest beginnings in Argentina to his global papal duties, drawing attention to his efforts on behalf of innocent lives, his teachings, and health struggles.
Embracing simplicity, it recounted his personal life as archbishop, sharing that he lived among ordinary citizens and often relied on public transportation, emphasizing his desire to remain an accessible figure.
Roman residents, including 72-year-old Aurelia Ballarini and 78-year-old Francesca Codato, came. Ballarini expressed deep loss akin to losing a grandparent, having regularly connected through his daily social media messages. She lamented a significant personal void but found solace in future reunions. Conversely, Codato sought forgiveness, having initially distanced herself owing to her devotion to Pope John Paul II, only realizing late Francis’s profound humanity and connection with the common people.
Meanwhile, the Vatican gears up for the strenuous task of selecting a new pope with preparations for the conclave. Although cardinals have begun congregating, official meetings to set a conclave date remain pending until after the funeral.
In alignment with Francis’s commitment to marginalized communities, the Vatican announced plans for impoverished individuals to pay homage to the pope’s coffin upon its arrival at St. Mary Major Basilica for burial. This tomb, a pilgrimage point, lies near the revered Madonna icon, and the burial ceremony is maintained as private.
A top-level security ensemble comprising over 2,500 officers and 1,500 military personnel was deployed to safeguard proceedings surrounding the funeral, which is set to draw an enormous crowd consisting of about 200,000 mourners at St. Peter’s Square and up to 300,000 attendees along the route through Rome. Italian media illuminated the extensive security measures, which include a naval vessel off the shore and fighter jet squadrons on alert.
In addition to President Trump’s anticipated arrival, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remains conditional on attending, constrained by pressing national commitments arising from ongoing conflicts. Other illustrious guests confirmed for the papal farewell include U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Prince William, King Felipe VI, and Queen Letizia of Spain, as well as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.