Trump Arrives in Rome for Pope Francis's Funeral

Arrival in Rome

• 🇺🇸 President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrived in Rome, Italy, on Air Force One.
• 🇻🇦 Their arrival precedes Pope Francis's funeral, scheduled for Saturday in Vatican City.

Pope Francis's Final Farewell

• 🕯️ Friday marked the last day for the public to view the pontiff lying in state.
• 🏟️ St. Peter's Square saw nearly 250,000 people pay their respects this week.
• ⏳ The Vatican closed its doors for the night after a significant number of visitors.

Funeral Preparations and Logistics

• ⛪ A prayer service was held outside the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, the pontiff's final resting place.
• 🌍 The funeral is expected to draw an estimated 200,000 people, with expectations of even higher numbers.
• 🗣️ The diverse languages heard among attendees highlighted the universality of the Church.
• 🙏 Pope Francis's request for the faithful to pray for him upon his election 12 years ago was recalled.

Pope Francis's Final Resting Place

• 🪦 Pope Francis will be laid to rest at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, next to the icon of Mary and baby Jesus.
• 🚶 The journey from the Vatican to the basilica will be a three-mile procession on foot, taking approximately one hour.
• 📜 He will be the eighth pope to be buried at this basilica.
• 📺 Local 10 News will provide live coverage of the funeral, starting Saturday at 3:30 AM Eastern time.