Yesterday, April 25, 2025, St. Peter's in Rome bore witness to an unprecedented tribute to Pope Francis: more than 128,000 faithful waited, sometimes until dawn, to cast a final gaze upon the departed pontiff. The basilica, left partially open until 2:30 a.m., reopened its doors at 5:40 a.m., allowing a continuous stream of pilgrims eager to pay homage to the man who, in 2015, had opened the Holy Door of the Jubilee, a year dedicated to hope.
From the early hours, silent lines formed in the square: elderly people aided by their canes, children perched on their parents' shoulders, religious sisters from Latin America, young pilgrims with dusty backpacks and draped in small banners. All moved forward with a recollected step, crucifixes and rosaries in hand, some wearing straw hats to protect themselves from the sun, others silent, with emotion dictating quiet and prayer. Among them were many tourists, incredulous at witnessing this moment in history.
Civil Protection volunteers and municipal police oversaw the orderly progression of the lines, offering fresh water and guidance, as everyone moved in an orderly fashion toward the steps of the holy temple. According to the Vatican bulletin, mobilization was particularly strong among the young, many of whom are participating in the Jubilee for Adolescents, whose programming continues until Sunday.
Last night at 8 p.m., the rite of the closing of the coffin took place privately under the presidency of the Cardinal Camerlengo, Kevin Farrell. Alongside him were Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re – Dean of the College of Cardinals and future president of the funeral Mass, Roger Mahony for the order of priests, the Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti and the Archpriest Mauro Gambetti, as well as high dignitaries: Pietro Parolin, Baldassare Reina, Konrad Krajewski, Edgar Peña Parra, Ilson de Jesús Montanari, Msgr. Leonardo Sapienza, the Canons of the Chapter, the officers of the Penitentiaries, and the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations, Msgr. Diego Ravelli.
Today, April 26, at 10 a.m. precisely, the same Cardinal Re presided over the funeral Mass in front of the basilica, where 130 delegations from around the world are expected.
Last night's ritual began with the reading of the "rogito," a Latin elegy recounting the principal papal acts, before the Master of Celebrations placed a veil of white silk over the face of the deceased, sprinkled with holy water. A purse containing coins and medals minted during his pontificate, the insignia of his authority, the pallia of Buenos Aires and Rome, and the sealed tube of the "rogito" will accompany the body.
The zinc coffin received its plaque mentioning "Francisco," his life dates (1936–2025) and ministry (2013–2025), as well as the cross and coat of arms, before being welded and stamped with the seals of the Camerlengo, the Prefecture of the Pontifical Household, the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, and the Chapter; the outer wooden casing, also closed, will bear a cross and the coat of arms. Faithful to his vow of simplification, Pope Francis had renounced the traditional three coffins of cypress, lead, and oak, preferring this sober gesture that reflects the spirit of evangelical poverty he always championed.