Pope Francis Funeral Preparations: Tributes, Papal Election, and Final Resting Place

Tributes and Mourning at the Vatican

• 🕊️ Over 90,000 mourners have paid their respects to the late Pope Francis.
• 📍 His final resting place will be a modest tomb, inscribed with his Latin name, "Franciscus."
• 💔 The coffin will be closed on Friday, ahead of Saturday's funeral mass.

The Papal Election Process

• 🗳️ 133 cardinals have arrived in Vatican City to participate in the election of a new pope.
• 🌍 These cardinals will decide the next leader for the world's 1.4 billion Catholics.
• ⏳ The election process involves prayer, waiting, and four ballots per day in the Cyine Chapel.
• 🤝 Cardinal Dolan, among those arriving, has prior experience in electing a pope, having helped elect Francis.

Public Mourning and Farewell

• 🚶‍♀️ A security helicopter monitored growing crowds in St. Peter Square as the line to see Pope Francis lie in state stretched over a mile.
• 😢 Mourners described the experience as moving and emotional, with many becoming tearful upon entering St. Peter's Basilica.
• 🙏 People waited for hours for a few seconds to pass by the open coffin, offering a final goodbye.

Pope Francis's Legacy

• ✨ He is remembered for his humility, his advocacy for social justice, and for championing the oppressed and voiceless.
• 💖 His life is seen by many as the epitome of being a saint on earth.

Funeral Procession and Coverage

• ⛪ The funeral procession on Saturday will carry Pope Francis's body from St. Peter's Basilica to the Basilica of St. Mary Major, a journey of about four miles.
• 🛣️ The route may pass iconic Roman sites, allowing people on the streets to say a final goodbye.
• 📺 Special coverage of the Pope's funeral will be provided by ABC7NY and ABC News, including a half-hour special on his impact.