Mourners from all over the world made a slow, shuffling procession up the main isle of St Peter’s Basilica to pay their final respects to Pope Francis, as they waited for hours to approach the open casket of the Argentine pontiff famous for fostering an inclusive environment.
The public viewing was set to resume Thursday, a day after it began, with such a large turnout that the Vatican announced it would explore extending hours to accommodate demand.
Nearly 20,000 people paid their respects in the first 8 1/2 hours.
Among them was a church group of 14-year-olds from near Milan who arrived for the now-suspended canonisation of the first millennial saint.
The grieving faithful accompanied the procession of mourners that wound through the basilica’s Holy Door from St. Peter’s Square out of devotion to the pope and his message of inclusivity. The repentant among them received an indulgence, which is a type of atonement given during the Jubilee Holy Year.
The line then continued down the central nave of the basilica to the pope’s plain wooden coffin.
After three days of public viewing, a funeral Mass including heads of state will be held Saturday in St Peter’s Square. The Pope will then be buried in a niche within the St Mary Major Basilica, near his favourite Madonna icon.
Francis lay in state in an open casket, perched on a ramp facing mourners, with four Swiss Guards standing at attention.
The death of Francis, who was 88, capped a 12-year pontificate characterised by his concern for the poor and his message of inclusion, but he was also criticised by some conservatives who felt alienated by his progressive outlook.
