In short:
The opening hours of the Vatican Basilica were extended due to the mass influx of the faithful who wanted to bow to Franciszek's coffin.
Preparations for the funeral of the Pope are underway, in which many world leaders are to participate.
Extraordinary security measures in the Vatican and Rome were introduced during the event.
In connection with a mass influx of the faithful to the Vatican Basilica, which was to be closed at midnight from Wednesday to Thursday, opening hours extended So that everyone waiting in the queue can enter it.
At night, hundreds of faithful from around the world entered the basilica to bow to the Pope and stop for a moment prayer in front of his casket after a few hours of waiting in a queue.
In the morning on Wednesday a simple wooden coffin was moved to solemn procession From the chapel of the House of Saint Marta, in which Francis lived and died, to the basilica.
The funeral of Pope Francis. Preparations are underway
On Thursday, the tribute to the Pope can be paid until midnight, and Friday from 7 to 19.
At 9 The third congregation will start, i.e. Cardinals' assembly. These daily meetings during the vacancies in the Holy See after the Pope's death are a preparation for his funeral, as well as for the conclave. His date has not yet been agreed by cardinals.
103 cardinals took part in the Wednesday congregation. During it, a funeral mass program was established, which after the Saturday funeral liturgy will be celebrated in the Vatican for the next eight days until Sunday, May 4, including.
Preparations for the Pope's funeral are underway in both the Vatican and all of Rome, at which about 200,000 people are expected and 170 official delegations with the heads of states and governments. Among them will be US President Donald Trump and the leader of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelnski.
Vatican – Extraordinary safety measures
As reported, according to the protocol in the first time they will sit down During the funeral mass at Saint Peter's Square, the President of Italy: Sergio Mattarella and the President of the Pope's homeland – Argentina, Javier Milei.
They are already in force in the eternal city Extraordinary safety measures due to the mass influx of the faithful. Reinforced police patrols and other ordering services are present. Numerous representatives of civil protection watch in the Vatican region.
Preparations are also carried out in the Basilica of Our Lady, where on Saturday the pope will be buried. Various routes of the procession of the retinue with the Vatican to the Basilica are being considered – the Italian media said. It will be The first such event in modern times.