Global Delegations Assemble in Rome for Papal Tribute

Delegations from around the world have gathered in Rome to pay their respects following the death of Pope Francis. Among the notable attendees are Ignatius Aphrem II, the Syrian Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch; Bartholomew I, the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople; and Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. The Vatican has confirmed the presence of numerous dignitaries, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola.

In total, approximately 170 delegations, including representatives from Colombia, Cape Verde, the Seychelles, Latvia, Cuba, Ecuador, Venezuela, El Salvador, and Peru, are expected to participate in the mourning ceremonies. The Austrian delegation, led by President Alexander Van der Bellen and Chancellor Christian Stocker, includes several bishops, notably Franz Lackner, the Archbishop of Salzburg and Chairman of the Austrian Bishops' Conference.

The city of Rome is currently in a state of heightened alert as it prepares for the large-scale funeral ceremony, with predictions of hundreds of thousands attending. The Italian civil protection agency is coordinating efforts, including enhanced public transport services and volunteer assistance for pilgrims heading to St. Peter's Square. Security measures are stringent, with over 1,000 police officers deployed to ensure the safety of the attending delegations.

As of now, estimates suggest that around 320,000 individuals have arrived in Rome for the memorial service, according to the city's tourism office. To accommodate this influx, train services have been significantly increased, with high-speed trains offering approximately 110,000 seats per day and additional regional connections providing another 150,000 seats. Trenitalia has also deployed 300 extra staff at train stations to assist travelers and respond quickly to any issues.

St. Peter's Basilica remained open overnight, allowing mourners to pay their final respects to the late pope. Long queues formed as people waited to view the remains of the Argentine pontiff. The basilica will be open from 7 AM to 7 PM, with a formal ceremony to seal the coffin scheduled for 8 PM. The burial is set to take place on Saturday.

Originally, the Vatican planned to close St. Peter's Basilica at midnight on Thursday, but due to overwhelming demand, it remained open until 2:30 AM and reopened at 5:40 AM. As of Wednesday, over 128,000 individuals had already bid farewell to the pope.

In the meantime, cardinals have begun arriving in Rome to prepare for the election of a new pope following Francis's passing. They will convene for a fourth official meeting since his death, discussing the funeral arrangements and the upcoming conclave. Emeritus Cardinal Christoph Schönborn of Vienna is expected to arrive in Rome on Friday.

The cardinals are expected to make critical decisions in the coming days, with ongoing discussions about the forthcoming conclave. The attention is focused on the ongoing general congregations of cardinals taking place behind the Vatican walls, as details regarding the next papal election are anticipated. Early estimates suggest that the conclave could commence in early May at the Sistine Chapel, with a record 135 cardinals eligible to vote. All cardinals under 80 years of age have voting rights, while all 252 cardinals may participate in the general congregation.

The mourning period in the Vatican will officially begin on Saturday, coinciding with Francis's burial, and will last until May 4. Each day during this period, a mass will be held at St. Peter's Basilica in memory of the late pope, open to all members of the public. The nine days of masses will be led by various high-ranking church officials. Following the mass on St. Peter's Square, the coffin will be transported to Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica, where Pope Francis will be laid to rest per his wishes, in proximity to the revered Marian icon 'Salus populi Romani.'