By Courtney Mares
Vatican City, Apr 23, 2025 / 14:37 pm
Thousands of Catholics said their last goodbyes and paid their respects to Pope Francis on Wednesday as the late pope lay in state in St. Peter’s Basilica.
Long lines of mourners, many waiting more than four hours under the hot Roman sun, wound around St. Peter’s Square on the first day of viewing on April 23. Vatican officials indicated that they might need to extend the basilica’s hours past midnight to accommodate the large turnout.
Many in attendance had initially come to Rome to celebrate Easter or witness the canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis, only to find themselves part of an unexpected historic farewell.
“The crowds are just packed… but overall it was beautiful,” said Arianne Gallagher-Welcher, a pilgrim from Washington, D.C. “You could feel how special it was for everyone … a really nice chance to say goodbye to Pope Francis.”
Gallagher-Welcher reflected on the significance of the Jubilee Year of Hope. “We were here during the Jubilee in 2000,” she said.
Reflecting on the life and legacy of Pope Francis during the Jubilee Year of Hope is truly a remarkable gift. The atmosphere at the basilica was filled with prayers and hymns as people gathered to pay their respects to the late pope. It was a moment of deep reverence as individuals had the opportunity to offer their prayers before the open casket of Pope Francis, positioned in front of the main altar and the tomb of St. Peter.
Dressed in striking red vestments, adorned with a bishop’s miter, and holding a rosary in his hands, Pope Francis was solemnly watched over by four Swiss Guards standing in silent vigil.
Father Fabian Marquez from the Diocese of El Paso, Texas, shared his emotional experience of being in the presence of Pope Francis’ body. He expressed gratitude for the late pope’s impactful actions in bringing communities together and offered prayers for the future leader of the Church.
“And my personal prayer was that now he intercedes for the next Peter to come so that the next Peter can lead us where the Lord desires us to go,” Marquez said.
Marquez’s journey to Rome with his fellow priests for the canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis took on a deeper significance following the passing of Pope Francis. The news of the pope’s death brought about a profound shift in their pilgrimage, prompting reflection on the future of the Church.
