The Vatican kept the doors of St. Peter’s Basilica open all night Wednesday due to higher-than-expected turnout of Catholic faithful determined to bid farewell to the late Pope Francis.
AP reports the latest numbers released by the Vatican said more than 20,000 people had paid their respects to the 88-year-old during the first 8 ½ hours of the public viewing on Wednesday.
The basilica closed for just one hour Thursday morning, from 6 a.m. until 7 a.m., the planned opening time.
By late Wednesday, the wait to view the open coffin appeared to be three or four hours and growing, according to the outlet, as thousands waited to view Francis lay in state, perched on a ramp facing mourners, with four Swiss Guards standing at attention.
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