In silence and prayer, thousands say farewell to Pope Francis at St Peter’s Basilica

More than 60,000 people have visited St Peter’s Basilica to bid farewell to Pope Francis. The queue started again at 6 am on Thursday, and thousands continue to arrive. Euronews journalist Maria-Michela D'Alessandro joined them.

By midday on Thursday, more than 60,000 people had already passed through St Peter’s Basilica to bid farewell to Pope Francis, as the public viewing entered its second day. The basilica had remained open continuously from Wednesday morning until 5:30 am on Thursday. Just half an hour later, at 6 am, the queue resumed as crowds once again began gathering in the cool Roman dawn, hoping to pay their last respects to the late pontiff. Among the early arrivals were Maria Luisa and Stefania, a mother and daughter from Sicily. Stefania now lives in Rome, and her mother had come to the capital for her granddaughter’s baptism this Saturday. But when they heard the news of Pope Francis’ death, their plans changed instantly. “We didn’t even think twice,” they said. “We knew we had to try and see him one last time.” They had been there before — when Pope John Paul II died, they joined a group of pilgrims from Sicily. Back then, it took them 16 hours to see his body. Nearby, Anthony, a Canadian on his honeymoon, stood quietly in line with his wife. Born into a Catholic family of Italian immigrants who moved to Canada in the 1950s, Anthony didn’t hesitate when he heard the news. “We’re only in Rome from Wednesday to Friday. But we knew this was something we couldn’t miss,” he told Euronews. For Anastasius, a Trappist monk from Hong Kong now studying in Rome, the moment was deeply spiritual. “First of all, I want to thank him for all his pastoral services to the Church over the past 12 years. I’m sure he has done a wonderful job for the people of God. And I hope the direction he has given to the Church will continue,” Anastasius said. By 8:15 am, an hour and 45 minutes after the new queue had started, those waiting had reached the security checks under the iconic colonnade of St.Peter’s Square. Journalists were not allowed to enter with cameras, but mobile phones were permitted. As the line advanced, workers were already placing rows of chairs in the square, preparing for Saturday’s funeral at 10 am. Crossing the Holy Door to see Pope Francis’s body Crossing the Holy Door in this context felt like a sacred passage for many. Most were silent. Those who spoke whispered reflections about Pope Francis — or quietly speculated about who might succeed him. Inside, the crowd moved slowly. Each person stopped for a few moments before the Pope’s body, lying in repose, then exited in silence through a side aisle. Adora and Erma, two women from the Philippines who now work in Rome, woke up at 4 am to be among the first in line. “We work today and we’re tired,” they said, “but we’re happy and sad at the same time.” Father Joseph described the moment with emotion. “I came to Rome in 2015, and since then, Pope Francis is the only pope I’ve known," he told Euronews. "Obviously, Pope Benedict was already retired. He accompanied my formation." "When I heard of his death, it was shocking — nobody expected it. Seeing his body was surreal. He looked so different. But I’m grateful to have come.” As the day goes on, thousands continue to arrive. The line shows no signs of shrinking. And inside the Basilica, the silence speaks volumes of love, respect, and the deep impression Pope Francis has left on the Catholic faithful.