Vatican Extends Hours for Public Viewing of Pope Francis as Thousands Pay Respects
Public viewing hours extended for Pope Francis at St. Peter's Basilica due to overwhelming attendance ahead of his funeral on April 26.
Summary
Following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, at age 88, public viewing at St. Peter’s Basilica has seen vast turnout, forcing the Vatican to extend visiting hours into the night. Attendees, including U.S. President Trump, have gathered to pay respects, joining mourners like Peruvian nun Alba Socola, who waited five hours to honor Francis. Responding to overwhelming interest, the Vatican has adjusted its schedule to accommodate thousands, with more than 50,000 visitors recorded within the first 12 hours. The funeral Mass will be held on April 26, ahead of the election of his successor expected by May 5.
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TIME Magazine·1M· "…Not only was the late Pope new in his approach to leading the Catholic Church, he was the first non-European to hold the position in more than 1,200 years and the first Latin American Pope."
The Guardian·1M· "…As the funeral rituals continue, speculation is rife about who will succeed Francis."
Al Jazeera·1M· "…The pope is the head of the Roman Catholic Church, but he also leads the Holy See – a sovereign juridical entity with a seat at the United Nations – and the Vatican city-state."
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