Over 100 delegations from around the world are arriving in Rome on Friday to pay their respects to the late Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday at the age of 88.
Official tributes begin today, ahead of the late pontiff’s funeral scheduled for Saturday morning.
Among those expected in the Italian capital are top European leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
All eyes will also be on US President Donald Trump, as well as his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
So far, 130 official presences have been confirmed, including 10 royals, 50 heads of state, and numerous prime ministers, ministers and ambassadors.
Stay with us for live updates from our reporters in Rome and all across Europe, here on Euronews, and follow our live blog below.
Thousands queue for final farewell to Pope Francis
Crowds are continuing to pour into St Peter’s Square today to pay their final respects to Pope Francis, whose body lies in state for the last day inside St Peter’s Basilica.
According to the Vatican Press Office, some 128,000 people have visited the Basilica since Wednesday, when the pope’s coffin was placed for public viewing. The overwhelming turnout prompted extended opening hours late into the night on both Wednesday and Thursday to accommodate the faithful.
The line to view the pope stretches well beyond Via della Conciliazione — the grand avenue leading to the square — and has reached up to 2 kilometres in length. Visitors are facing wait times of three to four hours before reaching the Basilica.
Meanwhile, others have begun gathering at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, where Pope Francis will be laid to rest. Rosary prayers have already been held there, and a banner saying “Grazie Francesco” (Thank you, Francis) has been placed on a nearby building in tribute.
Italy marks Liberation Day amid national mourning for the pope
Today is also Liberation Day in Italy — one of the country’s most significant and symbolic public holidays.
Marking the anniversary of the liberation from fascism and Nazi Germany’s occupation on 25 April 1945, it’s a moment of remembrance, but also, even 80 years later, a source of political division.
The holiday honours the Resistance, a diverse anti-fascist movement that included communists, socialists, Catholics, liberals and monarchists. Its strong left-wing legacy has long made it a point of contention for some parties on the right.
Several figures in the ruling Fratelli d’Italia or Brothers of Italy party, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, have expressed discomfort with the holiday in the past. However, Meloni has recently attempted to strike a more conciliatory tone.
Speaking on Friday, she said: “Today we renew our commitment so that this anniversary may increasingly become a moment of national concord, in the name of freedom and democracy, against all forms of totalitarianism, authoritarianism, and political violence.”
In Rome, the main state ceremony took place this morning at the Altare della Patria, where President Sergio Mattarella and top officials laid a laurel wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to honour the fallen.
This year’s celebrations are notably more subdued due to the period of national mourning declared after the death of Pope Francis. Events are proceeding, but in a more reflective and solemn atmosphere.
Rome travel disruptions expected ahead of papal conclave
If you’ve planned a spring getaway to Rome after the Easter holidays (coinciding with Italy’s Liberation Day today and Labour Day on 1 May), you might be in for a few complications.
While spring is always a beautiful time to visit the Eternal City, travellers should be prepared for closures, restricted access, and large crowds at some of Rome’s top attractions, as our Euronews Travel journalist, Rebecca Ann Hughes reports.
Most notably, the Sistine Chapel will be closed to the public from 28 April while it hosts the secretive conclave to elect the new pope, a process that will keep the chapel off-limits for at least a week.
The iconic space, featuring Michelangelo’s famed ceiling and Last Judgement fresco, as well as works by Botticelli, Pinturicchio and Rosselli, will also be under strict surveillance to ensure the integrity of the vote.
The exact start date of the conclave is still unknown. It depends on when all cardinal electors have arrived in Rome, but Vatican protocol dictates it must begin within 15 to 20 days after the Pope’s death — meaning it will start no later than 10 May, though it could be earlier.
What to expect today (and tomorrow)
Friday marks the final day Pope Francis’ body will lie in state at St Peter’s Basilica, as thousands of faithful continue to file past to pay their respects.
According to the Vatican press office, more than 128,000 people have visited the pope’s body so far, with lines stretching into the early hours of the morning and resuming again at dawn today.
The coffin will be closed this evening at around 8 pm during a solemn rite led by Camerlengo Cardinal Kevin Farrell (here you can read more about his important role as acting head of the Vatican until the next pope is elected).
This ceremony will conclude the public viewings ahead of the funeral on Saturday, which will begin in St Peter’s Square. Following the service, the funeral procession will move through the streets of Rome to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, where the late pontiff will be laid to rest.
Some world leaders are already arriving to pay their respects. Among them are Irish President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina, who will visit today and return tomorrow to St. Peter Square for the funeral ceremony.
World leaders start converging in Rome for farewell to the pope
Good morning and welcome to this special liveblog as we follow the last farewells and funeral preparations for Pope Francis, who died on Monday at the age of 88.
Over 100 delegations from around the world are expected to arrive in Rome to pay their respects to the late pontiff, with official tributes beginning today ahead of the funeral scheduled for Saturday morning.
Among those expected in Rome are top European leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
All eyes will also be on US President Donald Trump, as well as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
So far, 130 official presences have been confirmed, including 10 royals, 50 heads of state, and numerous prime ministers, ministers and ambassadors.
Stay with us for live updates from our reporters in Rome and all across Europe, here on Euronews.
SOURCE: EURONEWS
