By Kristina Millare
Vatican City, Apr 25, 2025 / 17:56 pm
As the world mourned the passing of Pope Francis, St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City became a place of pilgrimage for over 250,000 people, including nocturnal visitors seeking a final glimpse of the beloved pontiff before his funeral.
To accommodate the influx of mourners, the Vatican extended its opening hours, supported by thousands of volunteers, allowing visitors to pay their respects to the late pope late into the night. Mourners from all walks of life gathered at various entry points surrounding the Vatican, united in their desire to honor the leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.
Isabel Troconis, one of the pilgrims who visited St. Peter’s Basilica, shared her experience of being among the diverse crowd of mourners. She described the moving sight of people from different backgrounds and beliefs coming together to pay tribute to Pope Francis.
Reflecting on the legacy of Pope Francis and the unity he inspired, Troconis remarked on the universal and personal nature of God’s love, as evidenced by the diverse group of individuals who gathered to bid farewell to the pontiff.
For Laura Pérez and many others, the experience of mourning Pope Francis was a testament to the power of faith and community, transcending boundaries and bringing people together in a shared moment of remembrance and reflection.
