Catholic Faithful Pay Final Respects to Pope Francis/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Thousands gather at St. Peter’s Basilica to honor Pope Francis. Public viewing spans three days ahead of Saturday’s funeral. Cardinals begin preparations for conclave to elect next pope.
Farewell to Pope Francis: Quick Looks
- Massive Turnout at St. Peter’s: Thousands filed through the basilica as Pope Francis lay in repose.
- Simplified Funeral Rites: Reflecting his humility, Francis requested minimal pomp for his final farewell.
- Global Mourning: Pilgrims from across the world are expected to view the pope’s casket through Friday.
- Cardinals Convene: Vatican officials are holding meetings to prepare for the upcoming conclave.
- Funeral Set for Saturday: The ceremony will take place in St. Peter’s Square at 10 a.m.
- Final Act of Humility: His body rests in a simple wooden coffin, not on a raised platform as in previous papal funerals.
- Pope Remembered for Inclusivity: Francis is praised for championing the poor and pushing progressive reform.
- New Pope Anticipated: The conclave to elect Francis’ successor is expected to begin after May 5.
Catholic Faithful Pay Final Respects to Pope Francis
Deep Look
VATICAN CITY — April 23, 2025 — Thousands of Catholic faithful poured into St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday to pay their final respects to Pope Francis, as three days of public mourning began ahead of the beloved pontiff’s funeral on Saturday.
Francis, who died Monday at age 88 after complications from pneumonia, requested a modest funeral, continuing the simplicity that defined his papacy from the start. His simple wooden casket, lined with zinc, now rests in the heart of the basilica — not on an elevated bier as is customary, but on a gentle ramp, facing the pews. Four Swiss Guards stood vigil as mourners silently filed past.
A Funeral Rooted in Humility
This simplified setting was Francis’s final message of humility, echoing his first public act as pope in 2013, when he stepped onto the balcony wearing plain white robes, rejecting the ornate attire worn by past pontiffs. From choosing modest Vatican lodgings over the papal apartments to personally settling his hotel bill post-conclave, Francis lived — and will be remembered — as a pope for the people.
“He didn’t want to be idolized, even in death,” said Vatican correspondent Chris White. “It’s a final statement of simplicity.”
A World in Mourning
The line of mourners began with cardinals and bishops, followed by clergy, nuns, and ushers, and then the public. Vatican police extended viewing hours to midnight each day to accommodate the global outpouring of grief. By Friday evening, the casket will be closed and sealed.
“For me, Pope Francis represents a great pastor,” said Micale Sales, a visitor from Brazil.
Meanwhile, world leaders prepare to attend the funeral, including U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Conclave Preparations Underway
As the faithful honor Francis, the College of Cardinals has convened private meetings to begin preparations for the conclave, where 135 cardinal electors under age 80 will choose the next pope. The voting is expected to begin no earlier than May 5.
“We’ll see what the Holy Spirit says,” said South Korean Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik, asked if the next pope could come from Asia.
Cardinal John Ribat of Papua New Guinea expressed pride in representing his island nation, reflecting how Francis diversified the global makeup of the College of Cardinals during his 12-year papacy.
A Final Pilgrimage
Francis will not be buried in the Vatican, breaking with centuries of tradition. Instead, he requested to be laid to rest at Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica, near the Byzantine icon of the Salus Populi Romani, which he often visited before and after his papal travels.
Though the route for the procession from St. Peter’s to Esquilino hasn’t been detailed, insiders expect it will be simple and brief, with Vatican Swiss Guards accompanying the journey.
“This won’t be a grand parade,” one Vatican source said. “It will reflect Francis’s core message: humility in service.”
Legacy of a People’s Pope
Francis, the first Latin American pope, will be remembered as a champion for the poor, a reformer of the Vatican’s bureaucracy, and an advocate for inclusion — especially toward migrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those disillusioned with the Church.
His critics, especially within the conservative wing of the Church, opposed his openness on social issues and economic reform. Still, many credit Francis with modernizing the Church without abandoning its core doctrines.
“We’ve lost our leader,” said Julio Henrique of Brazil. “But a new one will soon rise, and hope remains.”
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