By Max Butterworth and Henry Austin
They came from far and wide, the U.S., the U.K. and South America among other places, all united in their desire to pay their last respects to Pope Francis.
Outside St. Peter’s Basilica, thousands of people lined up for hours, some waiting in the cold twilight hours of Thursday morning to catch a glimpse of the pontiff’s body as it lies in a simple wooden coffin, dressed in red liturgical vestments, his hands folded and holding a rosary.
Nuns and priests were among the mourners who lined up to pay their respects. Christopher Furlong / Getty Images
Thousands lined up outside St. Peter’s Basilica.Michael Kappeler / DPA via Getty Images
Closed for just an hour for cleaning, the holy place was reopened as hushed mourners including nuns, priests and members of the public started to file past Francis, who died Monday after he suffered a stroke.
Describing him as “an extremely influential leader,” California native Sonia James, 20, told NBC News on Wednesday as she waited in line. “I think it’s important and this is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
A nun kneels next to Pope Francis’ coffin.Andreas Solaro / AFP via Getty Images
Magdalena Kiwondo from Kenya holds a statue of the Virgin Mary. Michael Kappeler / DPA via Getty Images
She was joined by her friend Molly Dorman from Fair Port, Alabama. “I can stand in a line for three or four hours. I think that it’s important to do that,” Dorman said.
Dorman, 19, said it was her first visit to Rome, said she thought it would be “solemn and surreal,” to see Francis body close up.
One of the first to pass by the late pope’s coffin was Lisa Massachi, who said the basilica was very crowded when she entered after lining up for around hour inside.
“It was so crowded,” she said, adding that losing Francis was “as if you’re losing your grandfather, your very wise grandfather.”
Visitors, pilgrims and the faithful walk next to the coffin.Andreas Solaro / AFP via Getty Images
She added that she said “her last goodbyes.”
The basilica will be kept open until at least midnight on Thursday to allow the faithful to mourn. Francis’ funeral will be held on Saturday at 10 a.m. (2 a.m. ET) in St. Peter’s Square, after which the Vatican press office is expected to release details of the conclave that will elect the next pontiff.
Heads of state, including President Donald Trump, are expected to attend Francis’ funeral.
Max Butterworth
