World leaders, pilgrims gather for Pope Francis’ lying-in-state
ROME – 23rd April, 2025, Tv Platinum – Tens of thousands of mourners, from devout pilgrims around the world to heads of state and government leaders, began filing into St. Peter’s Basilica today to pay their final respects to Pope Francis, whose body is lying in state following his death.
A solemn atmosphere enveloped the Vatican as the doors of the grand basilica opened to allow the public to view the body of the pontiff, who passed away.
Pope Francis is resting on a simple catafalque before the high altar, dressed in his traditional papal vestments and surrounded by members of the Swiss Guard.
Long queues snaked through St. Peter’s Square from the early hours of the morning, composed of faithful who had travelled from across Italy and beyond.
Inside, silence reigned, broken only by the soft murmur of prayers and the shuffle of feet as people slowly processed past the body. Many were visibly emotional, offering a sign of the cross or kneeling briefly in prayer.
Later in the day, a stream of international dignitaries arrived, entering through a separate, guarded entrance.
Presidents, prime ministers, monarchs, and religious leaders from diverse backgrounds arrived to offer official condolences on behalf of their nations and communities.
Their presence underscored the global impact and respect commanded by Pope Francis during his 88 year pontificate.
The gathering in St. Peter’s Basilica is a poignant moment, marking a transition for the Catholic Church and a global acknowledgment of the legacy of Pope Francis, known for his humility, focus on the poor, and efforts towards interfaith dialogue and reform.
Anna Montoya, 33, from Mexico, was among those who arrived early to catch a glimpse of a man she said was like “a family member” to her.
“I had to come… it feels like I knew him,” she told AFP. “He was a good man. He represented what the church needs to be, what Jesus wanted to teach us.”
Francis’s coffin was placed before St Peter’s Altar of the Confession, where Bernini’s bronze baldacchino soars up towards Michelangelo’s famous dome. It was placed on a low bier, unlike the higher, more ornate platforms of his predecessors.
Tolu Adebayo
Reporter/ Social Media Manager
