Vatican Finalizes Preparations for Pope Francis's Funeral in Rome

The Vatican and Italian authorities are undertaking extensive preparations for the funeral of Pope Francis, who died at age 88, with up to 200,000 mourners and numerous world leaders expected to attend. Security measures include a no-fly zone, anti-drone teams, NATO surveillance jets, rooftop snipers, and thousands of police officers, reflecting the event's complexity and the high-profile nature of attendees such as Donald Trump, President Javier Milei, and Prince William. Over 150,000 people have already paid their respects as Francis's body lay in state in St. Peter’s Basilica, with the basilica remaining open most of the night to accommodate mourners. The funeral procession will be unique, as Francis requested burial at the Basilica of St Mary Major, making him the first pope in over a century to be buried outside the Vatican’s walls. The influx of global dignitaries and the expected crowd size have drawn comparisons to the funeral of John Paul II, necessitating extraordinary logistical and security efforts. Despite the grandeur, elements of the ceremony will reflect Francis’s humble legacy, including moments with the poor and personal touches in the burial rites.