Vatican Braces For Huge Crowds Ahead Of Pope's Funeral

St. Peter's Basilica is open one last day to crowds wishing to view the open coffin of Pope Francis.

Transcript

00:00Jorge Mario Bergoglio, better known as Pope Francis, was elected as the head of

00:09Catholic Church in 2013 and served until his death in 2025. The Catholic Church's

00:15first Latin American Pope, who died on Monday aged 88, will be laid to rest on

00:20Saturday. His body is kept at St. Peter's Basilica for public viewing till 8 p.m.

00:26local time on Friday. The Vatican is making final preparations for the Pope's

00:30funeral as the last of the huge crowds of mourners file through the basilica to

00:34view his open coffin. The coffin will be closed in the ceremony attended by senior

00:39cardinals. The Pope's funeral will be held in St. Peter's Square. He will then be

00:45buried at his favorite church, Rome's papal basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. The

00:51Argentine pontiff, who long suffered failing health, defied doctor's orders by

00:55appearing at Easter the most important moment in the Catholic calendar. He used

01:00his last speech to rail against those who stir up contempt towards the

01:04vulnerable, the marginalized and migrants.