Tens of thousands of mourners have paid their final respects to Pope Francis at Saint Peter’s Basilica, on the first of three days of public viewing ahead of his funeral.
Throngs of the faithful made their way to the 16th-century basilica’s main altar, where Francis’s open wooden casket was perched on Wednesday, as Swiss Guards stood at attention.
Over the coming days, tens of thousands of people are expected to pass through, and the Vatican said it may extend the viewing hours even longer due to high turnout.
Francis was laid out in red robes, clasping a rosary and wearing a bishop’s miter, the traditional pointed headdress. Mourners waited hours to reach the casket, which was behind a cordon. Some held their smartphones aloft as they neared to snap photos in what has become a modern ritual.
The public will be able to see Francis’s body lie in state for three days, ahead of his funeral on Saturday. The basilica will be open until midnight on Wednesday and Thursday, with public mourning ending on Friday at 7pm [17:00 GMT].
Italian police have tightened security for the viewing and the funeral, carrying out foot and horse patrols around the Vatican. The faithful who walk through St Peter’s Holy Door are granted indulgences, a way to help atone for sins.
“For me, Pope Francis represents a great pastor, as well as a great friend to all of us,’’ said Micale Sales, visiting St Peter’s Basilica from Brazil.
“I think he spread a positive message around the world, saying there shouldn’t be any violence, there should be peace around the world,’’ said Amit Kukreja, from Australia.
The funeral, set for Saturday at 10am [08:00 GMT] in St Peter’s Square, will be attended by numerous world leaders, including United States President Donald Trump and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Cardinals are continuing their meetings this week to plan the conclave to elect Francis’s successor, and make other decisions about running the Catholic Church as world leaders and the faithful grieve his death.
‘We’ve lost our leader’
Francis died on Monday at age 88, capping a 12-year pontificate characterised by his concern for the poor and message of inclusion, but also some criticism from conservatives who sometimes felt alienated by his progressive bent.
He last appeared in public on Sunday with an Easter blessing and a popemobile tour through a cheering crowd in St Peter’s Square.
He had some reservations about looping through the square packed with 50,000 faithful, Vatican News reported on Tuesday, but overcame them, and was thankful that he had greeted the crowd. He died the next morning.
“The death of a pope is not a small thing, because we’ve lost our leader,’’ said Julio Henrique from Brazil. “But still, in a few days, we will have a new leader. So … the thing of hope remains. Who will assume Peter’s throne?”
