<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>As the sun sets over the Vatican City mere days after the death of </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/pope-francis" rel="" target="" title="Pope Francis"><span>Pope Francis</span></a><span>, St Peter's Square is abuzz with pilgrims from all corners of the globe gathering to pay their respects to the late pontiff, who died on Easter Monday at the age of 88.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A curious blend of solemnity and anticipation fills the air as I weave my way through the dense throng of </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/catholic" rel="" target="" title="Catholic"><span>Catholic</span></a><span> mourners, tourists, and media from around the world.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Conversations in multiple languages hum in the background as the stoic crowd stands united in a shared moment of history, grappling not only with the loss of a deeply cherished spiritual leader, but also with the gravity of witnessing a moment that will echo through time.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/pope-francis-death-pope-doctor-says-pontiff-died-without-suffering-at-home/c507b750-4917-4681-b394-31bcc77f2ef6" rel="" target="" title="Pope Francis' doctor says pontiff died 'without suffering, at home'"><strong><span>Pope Francis' doctor says pontiff died 'without suffering, at home</span></strong><span>'</span></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience," Linda Coorey, who's travelling with fellow Australian Bernadette Lahood, says.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The pair, currently on holiday from Sydney, adjusted their itinerary to visit the Vatican in recognition of the impact Pope Francis had on their community.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I think he was a particularly great pope, and certainly for our families, this is really important to pay our respects," Lahood adds.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/world/pope-francis-death-farewell-to-pope-francis-australian-tourists-among-thousands-queuing-to-say-goodbye/178577f8-ec82-4c65-9b59-1bd5fd0bf7c7" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"They wish they could also be here, but they're really glad that we're here and able to experience this and share that experience with them back home."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/pope-francis-death-faithfuls-pay-final-respects-to-pope-francis-as-public-viewing-begins/eceeb809-990f-43ac-935b-fb7b9b913526" rel="" target="" title="Faithfuls pay final respects to Pope Francis as public viewing begins"><strong><span>Faithfuls pay final respects to Pope Francis as public viewing begins</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="styles__Wrapper-sc-2o34ro-0 cmwkBV"><div class="styles__Column-sc-2o34ro-3 jJDKrX"><a href="/content/2025/04/21/19/46/pope-francis-death-worldwide-mourning-rites-and-rituals-begin-following-the-death-of-pope-francis"><img alt="" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 636px, (min-width: 768px) 396px, 100vw" src="https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/-f3sB-q8cHdh_nNvNHNs89w42NE=/0x604:5882x3912/396x223/https%3A%2F%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2Ffs%2F6d8d3410-c792-4303-9ffe-fd092f102229" srcset="https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/-f3sB-q8cHdh_nNvNHNs89w42NE=/0x604:5882x3912/396x223/https%3A%2F%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2Ffs%2F6d8d3410-c792-4303-9ffe-fd092f102229 396w, https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/U0OfKsmKGwfJtA8c7qKQOvZY_Zc=/0x604:5882x3912/636x358/https%3A%2F%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2Ffs%2F6d8d3410-c792-4303-9ffe-fd092f102229 636w"/></a></div><div class="styles__Column-sc-2o34ro-3 jJDKrX"><div class="styles__Headline-sc-2o34ro-4 hpbOlz">Crowds gather for procession of Pope's body</div><div class="styles__Button-sc-2o34ro-1 eBjlmW"><a class="styles__ButtonLink-sc-2o34ro-2 hqpklJ" href="/content/2025/04/21/19/46/pope-francis-death-worldwide-mourning-rites-and-rituals-begin-following-the-death-of-pope-francis">View Gallery</a></div></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Crowds are enduring waits of up to six hours for a glimpse of Pope Francis's body, now lying in state beneath the majestic dome of St Peter's Basilica.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The basilica's great bell, Campanone, tolls solemnly, honouring the late pontiff in accordance with centuries-old tradition.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The sacred site remains open to the public day and night until the funeral tonight (AEST), allowing mourners from around the world to pay their final respects.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It's worth it," Coorey says without hesitation.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>To her, Pope Francis represented a leader who embraced everyone, regardless of their background.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"He was a people person - he loved being among ordinary people, not just dignitaries and politicians."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/transfer-of-pope-francis-coffin-to-st-peters-basilica-begins/8d0f0074-817b-48e0-8973-32b25d968529"><strong><span>St Peter's Basilica opens for public to pay respects to Pope Francis</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Similarly for Lahood, the Pope's inclusive nature set him apart, bridging a gap between generations.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"For young Catholics in their formative years he's been a really good influence and been connected to all people, not just traditionalists, he's had a lot of appeal to the broader community, both Catholic and non-Catholic and I think he's been really vocal about issues that really represent how Christians should behave."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Inside the Basilica, I'm told it's an atmosphere of deep reverence and beauty as crowds silently shuffle past the open casket, rosaries in hand, to honour the man who led the Catholic Church for over a decade.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Waiting outside was anxious and exhausting, but once I got in, it was beautiful," New Yorker Nancy Jiang says.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I was just in St Peter's on Easter Saturday.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Now going back in the evening and seeing everything lighten up, it was beautiful.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Definitely worth the wait and lifetime experience."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/how-the-pope-spent-his-final-hours-and-his-last-words-of-thanks-to-nurse-revealed/feb7c72f-f4b1-48b2-a0ee-084bb3440e79" rel="" target="" title=""><strong><span>How the Pope spent his final hours and his last touching words to nurse</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Renowned for his humility, compassion, and reformist vision, Pope Francis — born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/argentina" rel="" target="" title="Buenos Aires"><span>Buenos Aires</span></a><span>— was the first Latin American and the first Jesuit to ascend to the papacy.</span><br/><br/><span>Among the many gathered in Rome today are South American Catholics, devoted followers of the late pontiff.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The church is not just a European church, it's a world church," Brazilian Aducci Correia Kenig shares.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He's confident the same sense of diversity will continue with the next leader, who will be decided by an inner sanctum of cardinals in the coming weeks.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It was very important for the church… Because we had this South American pope from another continent so people from China, Australia and other places, they think 'why not?"</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/pope-francis-death-australian-cardinal-mykola-bychok-to-help-choose-new-pope/eb51fb32-a94c-4af6-9e8f-ca98e16ccd6e"><strong><span>The youngest man to vote for a new pope is a Melbourne priest</span></strong></a><span></span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The pope's funeral will take place this Saturday, April 26, at 10am local time (6pm in Australia) in St Peter's Square, with global leaders including US President </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/donald-trump" rel="" target="" title="Donald Trump"><span>Donald Trump</span></a><span> and </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/prince-william" rel="" target="" title="Prince William"><span>Prince William</span></a><span> expected to attend.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>True to his wishes for simplicity, Pope Francis will be buried in the Basilica of St Mary Major - a quieter, more humble resting place than some of his predecessors chose.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>As the Vatican mourns, Catholics like Correia Kenig are hopeful that it's not the end, but an exciting new beginning for the church.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The faith is reborn… believers are coming back to the church, new believers, I hope this new pope will make the faith stronger so those far away from the church can return."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>While a new pope is expected to be elected by mid-May, the focus for now remains on remembering a leader who touched lives across continents with a message of mercy, dignity, and hope.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. 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