World leaders, VIPs and thousands of mourners began to arrive at St. Peter’s Square and bid farewell to Pope Francis.
U.S. President Donald Trump, his predecessors Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Prince of Wales are attendees of the Requiem Mass at St Peter’s Square, which begins at 9 a.m. in the UK.
Others include French President Emmanuel Macron, former U.S. President Joe Biden and Irish President Michael D. Higgins.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived Saturday morning and will be attending with his wife Olena Zelenska after he was unsure of his travel plans that had been destroyed by Christian air strikes.
About 500,000 people are expected to gather for the open-air service.
Pope Francis died Monday at 88, lying in the state at St Peter’s Basilica a few hours after asking Mark Easter, about 250,000 gift-givers were officially sealed on Friday during the day and night.
The nun who gathered on St. Peter’s Square before serving told the Associated Press that the late pope was a saint…a peaceful man who wanted peace all over the world. ”
Sisters of the Philippines, Nilma Navarro said Francis was “the most humble person I have ever met”, adding that he raised people not only in the Catholic church. He also accepted other religions. ”
Pilgrim Miguel Vaca from Peru lined up to enter the square from 7 a.m. “He is a very attractive pope, very human,” he said.
