Candles placed by people sit at a memorial for late Pope Francis after an interreligious homage to him, following the death of the pontiff, at the Metropolitan Cathedral at Zocalo Square in Mexico City, Mexico April 23, 2025.
Approximately 2,500 people per hour have been filing past the body of Pope Francis as it lies in state at St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, with growing concerns over some mourners choosing to take selfies or film content at the solemn occasion.
The public viewing began at 11am local time on Wednesday and was initially scheduled to end at midnight. However, due to the overwhelming number of people wishing to pay their final respects, the basilica remained open until 5.30am on Thursday.
According to the Associated Press, “(The Vatican])closed the basilica for just an hour Thursday morning for cleaning.” It reopened at 7am as originally scheduled. By 1pm on Thursday (2pm Kenyan time), 61,000 people had paid their respects, according to Matteo Bruni, Director of the Holy See Press Office, as reported by Vatican News.
Also Read: Why Pope Francis is a pontiff of many firsts
Bruni added that the basilica was expected to close at midnight on Thursday “unless large crowds are still queuing to enter”.
A woman holds candles by an image of the late Pope Francis, at the Santo Spirito in Sassia church, in Rome, Italy, April 24, 2025.
Waiting times were lengthy. The BBC spoke to two women who said they had waited five hours. It also reported that some individuals were turned away due to the long queues.
Curious about how the Pope’s body has remained fresh in an open coffin? According to Euronews, the body underwent a process known as thanatopraxis.
“Thanatopraxis is not mummification, but a body preservation technique used mainly for the public display of corpses. The practice, regulated in Italy under a law passed in 2022, is considered a modern evolution of embalming, and is distinguished by the use of less invasive substances that are more respectful of the human body. It consists of a hygienic preservation treatment that slows down decomposition processes, allowing the natural appearance of the deceased to be maintained for several days,” the outlet reported on Wednesday.
As thousands filed past the late pontiff, a growing number of mourners were seen taking selfies and even going live on social media platforms such as TikTok. Britain’s GB News aired a compilation of footage showing people snapping pictures close to the coffin.
“Concerns around respect have now been raised as people have been seen taking selfies and going live on TikTok while standing next to the coffin,” the network reported in a Thursday broadcast.
Media outlets reported that visitors had been instructed not to take photographs inside the chapel, yet many defied these guidelines. MailOnline quoted a woman in attendance who said, “People were getting their phone out and doing selfies with the coffin… I did think that was a bit in poor taste and I’m surprised no one stopped them.”
Pope Francis's body lies in state at the chapel of Santa Martha at Vatican City.
The publication added, “One faithful said the atmosphere was ruined by people ‘ignoring warnings’ and taking photos instead of paying proper respects.”
Numerous images from the viewing show mourners raising their phones as the Pope’s body lay in an open coffin.
Meanwhile, Dr Sergio Alfieri, the physician who attended to Pope Francis in his final moments, has shared details about the pontiff’s last hours. He said the type of stroke that contributed to the Pope’s death “is one of those strokes that, in an hour, carries you away.”
Quoted by Reuters via Corriere della Sera, Dr Alfieri said rushing the Pope to hospital on Monday, when his condition deteriorated, would have been futile: “He would have died on the way.”
Upon arriving at the Pope’s residence, he found the pontiff with open eyes, but unresponsive. “And then I tried to call his name, but he did not respond to me,” said the doctor. “In that moment I knew there was nothing more to do… He was in a coma.”
Dr Alfieri said he had conducted medical tests on the Pope on the eve of Easter Sunday and found him “very well”. He even gave him a pie. The doctor downplayed reports that the Pope had ignored advice to rest after being discharged from Gemelli Hospital on 23 March.
“Returning to work was part of his treatment, and he was never exposed to danger,” the doctor said.
It has now been confirmed that the gospel reading during Pope Francis’ burial will be the same as that read at Pope John Paul II’s funeral in April 2005. The passage from the Gospel of John recounts Jesus asking Peter three times if he loved him, followed by the instruction, “Follow me.”
Faithful pay respect as Pope Francis lies in state in St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, April 24, 2025.
St Peter is a foundational figure in Roman Catholic tradition. The Vatican considers him the first Pope, with Pope Francis as the 266th successor. Though some historians debate Peter’s papal status, the Church regards him as the first Bishop of Rome - the rock upon which the Church was built. Two prominent statues of St Peter stand within the Vatican in his honour.
The Vatican also announced that while Saturday’s funeral service will be open to the public, the burial itself will be private.
eondieki@ke.nationmedia.com
