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Homage to Pope Francis continues/ 50 thousand believers in a kilometer-long queue

2025-04-25 11:29:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Homage to Pope Francis continues/ 50 thousand believers in a kilometer-long

In a solemn tribute to Pope Francis, over 50,000 faithful flocked to St. Peter's Basilica in the last 24 hours alone, to pay their final respects following his death on April 21 at the age of 88.

Pope Francis' body was moved from Casa Santa Marta to St. Peter's Basilica on Wednesday morning, where it was placed in front of the altar for public viewing. The basilica, originally scheduled to close at midnight, remained open until 5:30 a.m. the next day to accommodate the overwhelming number of visitors.

A queue stretching two kilometres formed from Piazza Risorgimento to Porta Angelica, as thousands waited for hours to pay their respects. As of Thursday morning, 24 April 2025, the basilica reopened at 7:00 am, continuing to welcome relatives until 7:00 pm on Friday evening, 25 April 2025. The period is expected to see an influx of visitors, with estimates suggesting that the total number of attendees could exceed 100,000 by the time the funeral takes place on Saturday.

In anticipation of the funeral, which will be attended by over 170 delegations from around the world, including prominent figures such as US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, authorities have implemented a comprehensive security plan. Roberto Massucci, Quaestor of Rome, described the security measures as impressive, highlighting the extensive preparations needed to manage the crowds and expected dignitaries.

Traffic management has also been a priority, with Anas, Italy's national road management agency, deploying 2,300 personnel on the roads and in operations rooms. They are prepared for the high traffic expected from all regions of Italy, especially on the main roads leading to Rome. Anas has set up a dedicated information line for travelers to stay updated on traffic conditions, as requests for information have increased by 36% in recent hours./CNA





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