Thousands upon thousands of people gathered in Rome’s St Peter’s Square on Wednesday, queuing in warm sunshine to see the remains of Pope Francis placed at St Peter’s Basilica for the public to pay their respects. The mood was one of sadness and some surprise, despite the late Pope’s illness, that his life ended when it did, so soon after he appeared on the balcony at St Peter’s on Easter Sunday.
Some now feel he may even have anticipated he would die soon after that event, as among his last words on Sunday night was an expression of gratitude to his nurse Massimiliano Strappetti.
“Thank you for bringing me back to the Square,” he said to Mr Strappetti, who he previously credited with saving his life a few years ago by suggesting the pontiff have colon surgery. Then, in October 2022, Mr Strappetti was appointed personal healthcare assistant to Francis.
He was with Pope Francis throughout his recent 38-day stay in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital and had been keeping watch round-the-clock during his subsequent days at the Casa Santa Marta where Pope Francis lived and, indeed, died. He accompanied Pope Francis to the balcony for the Urbi et Orbi blessing.
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All was quiet within St Peter’s itself on Wednesday as people queued quietly and respectfully along the length of the basilica, all to one side in its vast space, the bright Roman sun streaming through the windows overhead.
Pope Francis’s body was in red vestment and tilted slightly forward so it could be seen, his coffin surrounded by a four Swiss guards standing to attention. On each side were some kneelers and chairs where people, mainly clergy, knelt in prayer. Special arrangements were made for people with disabilities and the elderly to ensure they can have access to the rail outside where the coffin is laid so they too can kneel and pray.
Inevitably camera phones were much in evidence, but there is little of the jostling that can mar such occasions.
This morning the College of Cardinals led the procession of the coffin through the Vatican’s Santa Marta Square, under the Arch of the Bells, and into St Peter’s Square where about 20,000 people had already gathered to pay their respects.
They applauded as the coffin was carried up the steps and into the High Renaissance church. It was placed in front of the Altar of the Confession there and a choir chanted the Litany of the Saints in Latin for the repose of Pope Francis’s soul.
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Earlier in the chapel at Santa Marta, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, in his role as camerlengo, said a brief prayer for the late pope’s soul and thanked God for the 12 years of his papacy.
The basilica will remain open until midnight tonight and will be open from 7am to midnight on Thursday, and from 7am to 7pm on Friday, so the public have an opportunity to pay their respects. At 8pm on Friday evening Cardinal Farrell will preside over the rite of the sealing of Pope Francis’ coffin.
The funeral Mass will be held in St Peter’s Square on Saturday next at 10am (9am Irish time) presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals. It will be concelebrated with Patriarchs, Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, priests, consecrated religious, and lay faithful from around the world.
At the end of the Mass on Saturday the late Pope’s body will be taken inside St Peter’s Basilica and from there to Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, where he will be buried at his request.
