VATICAN CITY. A wave of grief and reverence swept across St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday as thousands of Catholic faithful began filing past the wooden casket of Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday at the age of 88. The start of the three-day public viewing marked a solemn milestone ahead of Saturday’s funeral, which will be attended by world leaders including U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Positioned before the basilica’s main altar, the late pope’s open casket, draped in red robes, with a rosary between clasped hands and a bishop’s miter upon his head—drew mourners from across Italy and around the world. In just the first 8.5 hours, the Vatican reported that 19,430 people had paid their respects.
“It gave me chills,” said Ivenes Bianco, a visitor from Brindisi in southern Italy. “He was important to me because he encouraged co-existence. He brought many people together.’’
Unlike his predecessors, Francis’ casket was placed on a ramp rather than an elevated bier, consistent with his wishes for a modest papal funeral. He had long expressed that the pope should be remembered as a “simple pastor, not a world leader.”
Wednesday morning began with the tolling of the basilica’s bells as Francis’ body was brought into St. Peter’s in a moving procession led by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who is temporarily overseeing Vatican affairs. The ceremonial Litany of Saints filled the air as clouds of incense wafted toward the heavens. Cardinals, bishops, and members of the clergy paid their respects before the doors were opened to the public.
Among the crowd, the mood was hushed and reverent, punctuated by the rustling of prayer books, quiet murmurs, and the occasional cry of a child. “It’s the feeling one experiences when a family member passes away,” said Rosa Morghen from Naples. “As he is a father, a grandfather who has gone.”
Francis’ public viewing will continue until 7 p.m. Friday, after which his casket will be closed and sealed in preparation for the Saturday funeral, scheduled for 10 a.m. in St. Peter’s Square.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, Pope Francis led the Catholic Church for 12 years. His papacy was defined by advocacy for the poor, calls for inclusion, and efforts to simplify and modernize Church traditions. Though widely beloved, he also faced criticism from conservative sectors of the Church for his progressive stance on issues ranging from LGBTQ rights to climate change.
Following the funeral, the Church will enter a transitional phase as preparations begin for the conclave to elect Francis’ successor. The process, conducted in the historic Sistine Chapel behind closed doors, is expected to commence no earlier than May 5. Of the 135 cardinals eligible to vote, 133 are currently set to participate after two bowed out due to health concerns.
“We’ll see what the Holy Spirit says,” said South Korean Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik, who heads the Vatican office for clergy. When asked whether the next pontiff could come from Asia, he replied, “For the Lord, there’s no East or West.”
Papua New Guinea’s Cardinal John Ribat, the country’s first and only cardinal, reflected on his journey to Rome, saying: “To have a representative from here to be in the conclave, it is a big thing.” He expressed hope for a pope who can lead “in a way that is truthful and binds everyone together.”
Security in Rome has been tightened, with Italian authorities deploying both foot and mounted patrols around the Vatican amid a steady stream of pilgrims arriving for the Holy Year celebrations that Francis inaugurated in December.
“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?”
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
