More Than 50,000 Mourners Gather to View Pope Francis’s Body in Vatican City

Since 24 hours ago, more than 50,000 people have lined up to bid their last farewell to Pope Francis, the beloved leader of the Catholic Church. His body is now lying in state at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. Because there are so many pilgrims, tourists, and believers from all over the world, Vatican officials have extended the hours that the public can see the artwork well past the original plan.

On Thursday morning, the line to get into the basilica went well beyond St. Peter's Square and down the streets next to it. It was the longest line since the body of the Pope was put on show the day before. The Vatican had planned to close the basilica at midnight, but cops confirmed that it would stay open all night to handle all the extra visitors.

Francis was the first Latin American pope and led the Church for 12 years with a reformist agenda. He died Monday after having a stroke at the age of 88. He was taken to the hospital earlier this year with double pneumonia and died peacefully at his home in the Vatican.

The open coffin of the late pope lies at the altar of the church. Swiss Guards watch over him, and solemn flower arrangements surround him. Cardinals in red robes and priests in white robes led his body in a solemn 40-minute parade from Casa Santa Marta on Wednesday morning as the bells of St. Peter's tolled and the crowd applauded with respect.

The public could start watching just after 11 a.m. local time on Wednesday. A massive crowd of tens of thousands of people had already walked by the body by midday. Some people, like Edoardo, 13, from Rome, came late at night with his family to pay their respects. He said, "I think the Pope was a great person." Many have been saddened by the Pope's death, but most believe he will enjoy heaven.

The church closed for a short time early Thursday morning for cleaning. It reopened at 7:00 a.m. People like Catherine from Birmingham had to leave because the lines got longer, and plan to come back later. She was sad but understood when she said, "It looks like five or six hours."

Pope Francis will lie in state until Friday evening, the Vatican said. His coffin will be sealed at midnight during a traditional liturgical process. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican's camerlengo and the official in charge of the Church between popes, will preside over the ceremony.

Papa Francesco, as the Pope was fondly called, is well-loved by Catholics worldwide.

Mary Ellen, an American who lives in Italy, could only say goodbye by taking the nighttime train to Rome. She said with tears in her eyes, "I love Papa Francesco." "He is humble nice, and we love immigrants." To be an honest Christian, he fought against those in power in the Vatican.

Pope Francis was a spiritual leader who sought to make the Church more merciful and inclusive for everyone. His humility, compassion, and lasting effect on Catholicism around the world will be remembered for a long time.