Thousands of mourners waited all night again to see the remains of Pope Francis before the end of funeral ceremonies on Friday evening.
The development comes after a British cardinal predicted the funeral would be a “masterpiece” in managing “big egos” as world leaders visit to pay their respects.
US President Donald Trump is among those expected to attend a funeral Mass for the late pontiff, joining dignitaries from around the world.
The Vatican said on Thursday evening that more than 90,000 people had lined up and filed past Francis' open coffin in St. Peter's Basilica as the three-day memorial service neared its conclusion.
As on Wednesday evening, the basilica remained open all night on Thursday to allow as many people as possible to pay their respects.
Huge crowds are expected to gather ahead of Saturday's funeral in St Peter's Square, where top Catholic Church officials and key political leaders will gather to bid farewell to the 88-year-old pope.
Guests also include Prime Minister Michael Martin, President Michael D. Higgins, French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the Prince of Wales.
The leader of Catholics in England and Wales, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, noted that the organisers of this large-scale event “are true masters in holding such significant events”.
Speaking to the PA news agency in Rome, the Archbishop of Westminster said the funeral would be “no doubt another masterpiece of theatrical performance, given the high regard in which government leaders place themselves at”.
He added: “I have seen in the past many times that Rome and the Holy See together are true masters in dealing with such major issues.
“I guess they've been doing this since the Roman emperors – they know how to manage big egos.”
“And I think every leader of the country who comes here on Saturday will go home quite satisfied.”
Cardinal Nichols described the final days following the Pope's death on Easter Monday as “deeply moving”.
He described how “touching” it was to watch others solemnly pass the coffin this week.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
