Nearly 20,000 View Pope Francis’ Body

Thousands of people on Thursday gathered in the Vatican City to honor Pope Francis after his body was brought out for public viewing.

Bells rang and prayers were heard as his simple wooden coffin of Pope Francis as his body was carried across the square for public viewing.

Early in the morning, church leaders and Vatican officials walked in two lines, accompanying the pope’s body from the place where he died to St. Peter’s Basilica. His body will stay there until his funeral on Saturday.

Many mourners filled the square, waiting to say goodbye. The pope was dressed in a red robe, with a white hat on his head, and a rosary in his hands. People clapped as the Swiss Guards escorted his coffin.

A woman named Teresa Piuvano, who came from New Jersey and had been helping with Vatican events, said she had seen the pope during Palm Sunday and Easter. She said, “Easter was the most special. I think he wanted to do that to say goodbye to the people because he rode around the whole square even though he was very ill.”

Inside the basilica, the pope’s coffin was placed on a simple platform, not the traditional wooden structure used for popes. The ceremony was led by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who is in charge of organizing the funeral. During the service, he referred to the pope in modest terms like “bishop” and “pastor.”

He said, “Dearest brothers and sisters, with great emotion we accompany the mortal remains of our Pope Francis into the Vatican basilica where he often exercised his ministry as the bishop of the church that is in Rome and as pastor of the universal church.”

Pope Francis had earlier changed the rules for papal funerals to make them simpler. He said he wanted his funeral to reflect the life of a humble pastor, not that of a powerful leader.

After the service, cardinals bowed one by one in front of the coffin. Then the public was allowed to enter. The Vatican said nearly 20,000 people came to see the pope’s body that day and promised to stay open past midnight so everyone could say their goodbyes.

Later in the day, cardinals held a meeting called the General Congregation in the Synod Hall. It lasted from 5:00 to 6:30 PM. The gathering began with a prayer asking the Holy Spirit for guidance, and a special prayer for the pope.

Cardinals who missed the earlier meeting were sworn in. They approved the “Novemdiales,” a nine-day mourning period. Another meeting was scheduled for the next morning at 9:00 AM.

In the first meeting held the day before, the cardinals agreed to stop all beatification ceremonies until a new pope is chosen. They also selected three cardinals to help manage church affairs during this period without a pope. These three represent the different ranks of cardinals and are replaced every three days. The first ones chosen were Pietro Parolin, Stanisław Ryłko, and Fabio Baggio.

As of 7:30 PM on Wednesday, about 20,000 people had visited to honor Pope Francis.

In other news, Prince William will attend the pope’s funeral on behalf of the British royal family. King Charles will not go because, according to tradition, the ruling monarch does not attend funerals. A royal expert explained, “The Sovereign does not attend funerals, Buckingham Palace has confirmed.” Back in 2005, then-Prince Charles also represented the Queen at Pope John Paul II’s funeral.

King Charles did meet the pope just days before his death and shared a message after he passed away.
Send Us A Press Statement Advertise With Us Contact Us

 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG