LAST UPDATE: 11:55
The ceremony for the transfer of the body of the late Pope Francis has been completed.
The transfer took place from the Saint Martha Guest House to the interior of Saint Peter’s Basilica.
The open coffin was carried by the sediari.
These are laymen who are at the disposal of every reigning pontiff.
The procession first passed through the exterior of St. Peter’s Square, where the pilgrims gathered and applauded with visible emotion.
At 11:00 a.m. local time, the first faithful will be allowed to enter the Basilica, and the flow of pilgrims will continue until midnight and throughout tomorrow.
National Mourning Declared in Italy
In response to the pope’s passing, the Italian government has declared five days of national mourning. Commemorations for Italy’s Liberation Day on April 25 will be significantly scaled back this year, out of respect for the mourning period.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s administration has allocated €5 million to manage the influx of pilgrims and implement heightened security measures in the lead-up to the funeral. Serie A football matches scheduled for Saturday have been suspended in honor of the pope.
Massive Security Operation Underway
Italian authorities are deploying a large-scale security presence in the Eternal City. In addition to police and Carabinieri, the military and Civil Protection Agency have been mobilized. Specialized diving units have also begun patrolling the Tiber River near the Vatican to prevent any potential threats.
World Leaders and Thousands of Pilgrims Expected
An estimated 200,000 mourners are expected to attend the funeral in Rome on Saturday. Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi confirmed that around 170 foreign delegations will be present, including numerous heads of state and government.
Among the international figures expected to attend are the Spanish royal couple, Britain’s Prince William, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will also be in attendance, representing the Orthodox Christian world.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to arrive in Rome on Friday, while most foreign dignitaries will travel to the city on the day of the funeral.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stated that hosting such a significant international event is “a tremendous responsibility” for the country, as it prepares to welcome the global community in mourning and remembrance of Pope Francis.
