St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican is filling with thousands of faithful who have come to pay their final respects to Pope Francis. Authorities in both Italy and the Vatican have implemented unprecedented security measures as preparations for the funeral ceremony intensify.
Presidents, monarchs, and heads of state from around the world are arriving in Rome. Up to 200,000 people are expected to attend the Pope’s funeral—possibly even more, as this year marks a Jubilee Year for the Catholic Church.
In the past 24 hours, the flow of visitors has increased significantly. Barricades have been set up around the square to manage the crowds. Over 2,000 police officers have been deployed, drone defense systems are active, and the airspace over Rome has been declared a no-fly zone for 24 hours.
Fighter jets are on high alert, and police snipers have been stationed on rooftops along Via della Conciliazione—the main avenue leading to the square. The security zone has been expanded: parking is prohibited near the area, and multiple checkpoints have been established to filter the incoming crowds.
The funeral Mass will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday in St. Peter’s Square. After the service, Pope Francis’s coffin will be taken to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome for burial.
