A Quiet procession of the faithful began early Wednesday as doors opened at St. Peter’s Basilica, where mourners are now paying their last respects to Pope Francis, a spiritual leader remembered as much for his humility as his global reach.
For the next three days, a steady flow of pilgrims some arriving in silence, others clutching rosaries or candles will pass by his coffin in the heart of Vatican City. The scene is at once solemn and deeply personal, as people from all walks of life gather to honor a man who, in his decade-long papacy, sought to bring the Church closer to the people it serves.
Though the funeral mass is still days away, the atmosphere already carries the weight of global significance. Pope Francis’s influence extended far beyond the pulpit, drawing attention to climate justice, championing the marginalized, and opening doors to interfaith conversation.
Leaders from across the world, including the Prince of Wales, US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky, and UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, are expected to join tens of thousands in Vatican City on Saturday to say farewell.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re will lead the funeral mass in St. Peter’s Square, joined by a broad assembly of clergy from every continent a reflection of the inclusive message Pope Francis championed throughout his papacy.
