Pope Francis's Funeral Preparations: Mourners, Tomb, and Tradition

Continued Mourning and Basilica Access

• 🕯️ Tens of thousands of faithful continue to line up to pay their respects to Pope Francis inside St. Peter's Basilica.
• ⏰ The Basilica remained open through the early morning hours, with only a brief closure for cleaning, accommodating the unexpectedly high turnout.
• ⏱️ Wait times improved significantly, with many mourners waiting about an hour today compared to up to 5 hours previously.

Funeral Preparations and Burial Site

• 🕊️ Preparations are underway for Pope Francis's funeral, which is anticipated to draw thousands of attendees.
• ✝️ In a break from tradition, Pope Francis will forego a burial at the Vatican and will be laid to rest next to the famous icon of the Virgin Mother at Santa Maria Major.
• 🪦 The tomb being built for him will be located there, with a simple inscription as per his wishes.

Personal Touches and Significance

• 📜 The stone used for Pope Francis's tomb is 'stone of Liura', a significant choice given his family's Italian descent from the region of Liguria.
• 🌟 This detail is highlighted as a very 'on brand' and special touch for Pope Francis, reflecting his known preferences.
• 💔 The experience of seeing Pope Francis lying in state has been described as emotional by many, with some witnessing nuns in tears.

Ongoing Vigil and Numbers

• 🌃 The Basilica is expected to remain open all night, with over 50,000 people having already paid their respects.
• 📈 The number of mourners is expected to rise significantly by the following morning.