Pope Francis's Funeral Preparations: Mourners Pay Respects and Burial Site Details

Public Mourning and Basilica Operations

• 🕊️ Tens of thousands of people have lined up at St. Peter's Basilica to pay their respects to Pope Francis.
• ⏰ The Basilica stayed open through the early morning hours and only closed briefly for cleaning, reopening due to higher-than-expected turnout.
• ⏳ Wait times have decreased, with many reporting about an hour wait on Thursday, compared to 3-5 hours on the previous day.

Burial Site and Personal Significance

• 📍 Pope Francis will be laid to rest at the Santa Maria Major Basilica, a place he insisted on due to a deep connection with the Virgin Mother.
• 🛠️ Video footage shows the tomb being built for Pope Francis, situated next to a famous icon of the Virgin Mary.
• ✈️ The Pope frequently visited the Santa Maria Major Basilica before and after international trips to pray, highlighting its personal meaning.

Attendance and Services

• 📈 As of Thursday morning, the Vatican reported 50,000 people had entered St. Peter's Basilica to pay their respects, with numbers expected to rise.
• 📿 At Santa Maria Major, a prayer rosary is held nightly at 9:00 p.m., presided over by a cardinal, to allow the faithful to offer prayers.
• 📺 Local 10 News will feature an interview with a South Florida couple who were on vacation and learned of the Pope's passing, and plan to attend the funeral.

Funeral Coverage Details

• 🗓️ Live coverage of the funeral events will begin on Saturday morning at 3:30 a.m. Eastern.
• 📺 Local 10 will provide continuing coverage throughout the week leading up to the funeral.