Mourners Pay Respects to Pope Francis at St. Peter's Basilica

Public Viewing at St. Peter's Basilica

• 🌍 Tens of thousands of mourners from around the world are streaming into St. Peter's Basilica to pay their final respects to Pope Francis.
• 💔 The atmosphere is described as a mixture of emotions, with many remembering him as a beloved leader.
• 🕊️ Pope Francis's body was moved from his residence to the basilica in a solemn procession.

Pope's Wishes for His Funeral and Burial

• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Unlike his predecessors, Pope Francis's body is positioned facing the pews, close to the people, as he desired.
• 📜 In 2022, he expressed a wish for a modest funeral and to be remembered as a simple disciple of Christ.
• ⛪ He explicitly stated he did not wish to be buried at St. Peter's Basilica.

Burial and Future Papacy

• 🪦 On Friday evening, the Pope's coffin will be closed, and on Saturday, he will be laid to rest at St. Mary Major, a church he frequently visited.
• 🗳️ The cardinals have 15 to 20 days after the Pope's death to elect a new pontiff in a conclave.
• 📰 Continuing coverage of the events and updates on the timeline can be found on cbsnewyork.com, with the funeral to be broadcast on Saturday morning.