Mourners Pay Respects to Pope Francis: Vatican Viewing Hours Extended

Public Viewing of Pope Francis

• 😔 Visitors are filing past the coffin of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Basilica, dressed in red robes and lying in a simple coffin.
• ⏱️ An estimated 40 people per minute are spending a moment in quiet farewell.
• ⏳ Due to the large crowds, the Vatican is extending viewing hours past midnight.

Visitor Experiences and Motivations

• 🚶‍♀️ Many visitors waited 90 minutes to three hours to pay their respects.
• ❤️ Some mourners felt a personal connection to the Pope, viewing him as a beloved uncle or father figure.
• 🌍 Others sought to experience the historical significance of paying homage to a leader who served the church and the world.
• 🚶‍♂️ Some individuals, faced with extremely long lines, reluctantly decided to move on without viewing the coffin.

Global Attendance and Papal Succession

• 🇺🇸 Significant numbers of Americans and Italians are lining up to say goodbye to Pope Francis.
• ⛪ As the Bishop of Rome, Francis was deeply connected to local Catholics, many of whom are attending to say farewell.
• 🗓️ Cardinals from around the world are preparing for the conclave to elect the next pope, scheduled to begin on or after May 6th.
• 🤝 Cardinal Dolan from New York is among those joining the general congregation meetings in Rome.

Pope Francis's Impact

• 🌐 The extended viewing hours and continued crowds after midnight are a testament to Pope Francis's wide-ranging impact and influence.
• 📺 Funeral coverage of Pope Francis will be broadcast on Saturday morning as a CBS News special report.