Pope Francis’s coffin was sealed in St. Peter’s Basilica this morning as he was laid to rest. The three-day public viewing concluded at 7 p.m. on Friday, marked by a changing of the guards at the open coffin.
Thousands of people lined up to pay their respects during the viewing, and the Vatican extended the basilica’s hours to accommodate the unexpectedly large turnout, allowing mourners to visit throughout the night.
Today, world leaders including U.S. President Donald Trump, former President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and the Prince of Wales are among those attending the requiem mass in St. Peter’s Square. Other notable attendees include French President Emmanuel Macron, Irish President Michael D. Higgins, and Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia.
