Thousands Mourn Pope Francis as Long Lines Fill Vatican Streets

More than 50,000 people have lined up in the past 24 hours to say goodbye to Pope Francis at St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.

On Thursday morning, the line to see the Pope’s open coffin stretched far beyond St Peter’s Square — the longest it has been since his body was placed there on Wednesday.

The church was supposed to close at midnight (10:00 PM GMT), but it stayed open longer so more people could come in.

Pope Francis died on Monday (April 21) at the age of 88 after having a stroke. Earlier this year, he spent five weeks in the hospital with a serious lung infection.

Pope Francis was the first Latin American leader of the Catholic Church and held the role for 12 years.

The Pope's body will lie in state in the church until Friday evening, when his coffin will be sealed during a liturgical rite at 20:00, the Vatican said.