Pope Francis Lies in State as World Mourns; Historic Funeral Preparations Begin

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The Vatican’s hallowed halls fell silent as pallbearers carried Pope Francis’ simple wooden casket through St. Peter’s Square, marking the beginning of an unprecedented farewell for the pontiff who reshaped modern Catholicism.

Thousands of mourners gathered Wednesday as the late pope’s body began its journey from the humble Casa Santa Marta residence to St. Peter’s Basilica, where he will lie in state for three days before Saturday’s historic funeral. The 88-year-old’s death Monday after battling pneumonia and heart failure has triggered a global outpouring of grief for the first Jesuit pope and first pontiff from the Americas.

In a break with centuries of tradition, Francis will be buried at Rome’s Santa Maria Maggiore basilica rather than the Vatican – his final act of humility from a leader who rejected papal pomp. The decision reflects his special devotion to the church housing the ancient Salus Populi Romani icon, which he visited before every international trip.

As Swiss Guards escorted the casket through the square, pilgrims like Anna Montoya from Mexico wept openly. “He was like family to all of us,” she said, clutching rosary beads. The scene repeated across the globe, from the slums of Buenos Aires to refugee camps in Lebanon, where Francis’ legacy of compassion touched millions beyond the Catholic faithful.

Security forces prepared for an unprecedented influx of mourners, with world leaders including U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky expected among 150 foreign delegations. Italian authorities declared five days of national mourning as the Vatican confirmed the conclave to elect Francis’ successor would begin within 20 days.

The lying-in-state period offers ordinary Catholics their last chance to honor the pope who brought the papacy to the people – from his decision to live in a guesthouse rather than the apostolic palace, to his spontaneous walks among crowds. As the sun set over St. Peter’s dome, the queue of mourners stretched nearly a kilometer, a testament to the Argentine’s extraordinary connection with both believers and non-believers worldwide.

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