Vatican City, Holy See:
Pope Francis’s body was moved to St Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday for three days of lying in state, attracting thousands of mourners who came to pay their respects to the revered leader of the Catholic Church.
The solemn procession, accompanied by red-robed cardinals and the Vatican’s Swiss Guards, made its way through St Peter’s Square as the bells of the basilica rang out in reverence.
Pilgrims and tourists alike gathered to witness this historic moment, with some even applauding as the coffin passed by. The 88-year-old pontiff, who passed away on Monday after a stroke, had been residing in the Santa Marta residence during his papacy.
People from all over the world, including Anna Montoya from Mexico, came to pay their respects to Pope Francis, whom they considered a beloved figure. “He was a good man who embodied the teachings of Jesus and what the church should stand for,” said Montoya.
The coffin of Pope Francis was placed in front of St Peter’s Altar of the Confession, a poignant setting beneath Bernini’s magnificent bronze baldacchino and Michelangelo’s iconic dome. Unlike his predecessors, Francis’s coffin was placed on a modest bier.
The funeral, expected to draw a large congregation including world leaders like US President Donald Trump and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky, will take place on Saturday. Following the funeral, the pontiff’s coffin will be interred in Rome’s papal basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore with a simple inscription: Franciscus.
‘Sorely missed’
Italy is making extensive security preparations for the funeral, with a significant influx of foreign delegations and visitors expected. The country has declared five days of national mourning in honor of Pope Francis.
Following the funeral, the focus will shift to the selection of the next pope. Cardinals from around the world have been summoned to Rome to participate in the conclave to choose the new leader of the Catholic Church.
Despite his recent battle with pneumonia, Pope Francis continued to make public appearances until his passing. His death, marked by a stroke, coma, and heart failure, has left a void in the hearts of many, including Sister Maria Guadeloupe Hernandez Olivo, who described the news as “very hard, very sad.”
(This article is based on a syndicated feed and has not been altered by NDTV staff.)
