On April 22, 2025, the Vatican began a historic period of mourning as Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, was laid in state in St. Peter’s Basilica. This solemn event, marking the first time the faithful could publicly pay their respects to the first Latin American pope, drew tens of thousands of pilgrims, world leaders, and ordinary Catholics to Rome. Francis’s body, dressed in simple vestments and placed in an open wooden coffin, became a focal point for reflection on his transformative 12-year papacy, his humble spirit, and the profound impact he had on the global Church. As the world prepares for his funeral on April 26, 2025, the images of mourners filing past his body underscore the deep affection and reverence he inspired.
The Scene in St. Peter’s Basilica: A Simple Yet Profound Display
Pope Francis’s lying in state began on the morning of April 22, following a private ceremony where his body was prepared and transferred from Casa Santa Marta, his residence, to St. Peter’s Basilica. In keeping with his wishes for simplicity, Francis was laid out in a plain cypress wood coffin—a traditional choice for popes symbolizing humility—without the elaborate catafalque used for previous pontiffs. He was dressed in a white cassock, a red chasuble, and a white miter, with his pallium, a woolen stole symbolizing his role as shepherd, draped over his shoulders. Notably, his face was not covered, allowing mourners a clear view of the pontiff who had often spoken of his own mortality with candor, once saying, “I am a sinner, but I trust in the mercy of God.”
The Vatican placed the coffin on a simple platform in front of the basilica’s main altar, beneath Bernini’s towering bronze baldacchino. A single crucifix rested at the head of the coffin, and a copy of the Gospels was placed nearby, a nod to Francis’s emphasis on Scripture as a guide for Christian life. Two Swiss Guards stood vigil, their colorful uniforms contrasting with the somber mood. The basilica’s lighting was dimmed, creating a reverent atmosphere as the faint sound of prayers and hymns filled the air. A banner with Francis’s papal coat of arms—a shield with a sun, a star, and the Jesuit emblem—hung above, a quiet reminder of his Argentine roots and Jesuit identity.
A Global Outpouring: Mourners Pay Their Respects
By April 24, 2025, the Vatican reported that 90,000 people had passed through St. Peter’s Basilica to view Pope Francis’s body, with lines stretching across St. Peter’s Square and into the Via della Conciliazione. The faithful came from all corners of the globe—families from Buenos Aires, Indigenous groups from Canada, refugees from Syria—reflecting the diverse communities Francis championed during his papacy. Many carried rosaries, photographs, or small Argentine flags, while others held signs reading “Santo Subito” (“Saint Now”), echoing the spontaneous calls for canonization that followed Pope John Paul II’s death in 2005.
Among the mourners were numerous world leaders and dignitaries. U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who had met Francis on Easter Sunday, April 20, attended on behalf of the United States, joined by Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden. Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni were present, as were representatives from Argentina, including President Javier Milei, who described Francis as “a spiritual guide for the world.” The presence of figures like U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez underscored Francis’s global influence, particularly his advocacy for peace, migrants, and the environment.
Ordinary Catholics shared heartfelt stories with reporters. Maria Elena Gómez, a 45-year-old teacher from Buenos Aires, told AP News, “He was our pope, the pope of the poor. I came to thank him for showing us what mercy looks like.” A group of Indigenous Canadians, led by Chief Wilton Littlechild, prayed in Cree, honoring Francis’s 2022 apology for the Church’s role in residential schools. Posts on X captured the emotional weight of the moment—one user,
@CatholicVoice
, wrote, “Seeing Pope Francis lying in state is a reminder of his humility. No pomp, just a servant of God. We’ll miss him.”A Reflection of His Humble Legacy
The simplicity of Francis’s lying in state was no accident—it was a direct reflection of his wishes and his lifelong commitment to humility. Unlike previous popes, whose bodies were often elevated on ornate platforms, Francis requested a “simplified rite,” as confirmed by the Vatican’s master of ceremonies. This choice aligns with his rejection of extravagance during his papacy—he lived in the modest Casa Santa Marta rather than the Apostolic Palace, wore plain vestments, and often spoke against clerical privilege. Even in death, he wanted to be remembered as a pastor, not a prince.
The open coffin, a departure from recent tradition, allowed mourners to see Francis’s face, a decision some speculate was meant to emphasize his humanity. Italian media noted that his body showed signs of his recent health struggles—his face appeared gaunt, a result of his 38-day hospitalization for double pneumonia in February and March 2025. Yet, many remarked on the peacefulness of his expression, with one pilgrim, 72-year-old Anna Ricci from Naples, telling Reuters, “He looks like he’s sleeping, like he’s finally at rest after carrying so many burdens.”
The Context of His Death and the Days Ahead
Pope Francis’s death on April 21, 2025, came after a sudden cerebral stroke that led to a coma and cardiocirculatory collapse, as detailed in the Vatican’s official statement. His underlying health issues—chronic lung damage, bronchiectasis, hypertension, and diabetes—made him vulnerable to such an event, especially after his recent battle with pneumonia. The stroke’s rapid onset, just a day after he blessed the faithful on Easter Sunday, left little time for intervention, and he passed away surrounded by his closest aides, including his nurse Massimiliano Strappetti, to whom he made a final farewell gesture.
The lying in state will continue until April 25, 2025, with the basilica open from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM each day to accommodate the influx of mourners. On April 26, Francis’s funeral will take place in St. Peter’s Square, presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals. In accordance with his wishes, he will be buried at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, a church he loved for its connection to the poor and its Marian devotion, rather than in the Vatican Grottoes. The funeralArmy will oversee the conclave to elect his successor, expected to begin within 15 to 20 days, as per Vatican protocol.
A Critical Perspective: What This Moment Reveals
While the lying in state is a moment of mourning, it also raises questions about the Church’s approach to aging pontiffs. Francis’s health struggles—evident even in his final public appearance—highlight the physical toll of the papacy, a role that demands global travel, public engagements, and immense spiritual responsibility. His predecessor, Benedict XVI, resigned in 2013 due to frailty, a precedent Francis considered but did not follow, having written a resignation letter in case of incapacitation but choosing to serve until his death. This raises a broader question: should the Church reconsider the expectation of a lifelong papacy, especially as medical advancements allow popes to live longer but not always healthier lives? Francis’s passing might prompt the cardinals to reflect on this as they prepare to elect the 268th pope.
Moreover, the global turnout at his lying in state reflects the polarizing nature of his legacy. While many mourn him as a champion of the poor and a voice for the marginalized, others—particularly conservative Catholics—criticize his progressive reforms, such as approving same-sex blessings and restricting the Traditional Latin Mass. The diversity of mourners, from refugees to Indigenous leaders, shows his universal appeal, but the calls for “Santo Subito” are tempered by debates over his handling of issues like clergy sexual abuse, where his early missteps drew criticism before he adopted stricter accountability measures.
A Farewell to a Servant Leader
Pope Francis lying in state is more than a ceremonial event—it’s a global moment of gratitude for a pontiff who lived as he preached, with humility and mercy at the forefront. As mourners file past his body, they honor a man who washed the feet of prisoners, apologized to Indigenous peoples, and called for a “Church for the poor.” His simple coffin, open for all to see, is a final testament to his desire to be one with his people, even in death. The world will miss Francis, but his legacy of compassion and justice will endure, inspiring Catholics and non-Catholics alike to build a more inclusive and caring world.
What are your memories of Pope Francis? How has his papacy touched your life? Share your thoughts in the comments below as we join in prayer for his eternal rest.
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