It is heating up in Vatican City and there is an intense atmosphere as the enormity of Pope Francis’ death – and the practicalities now to follow – take hold.
It is busier than yesterday, with tourists and locals now almost equalled by the growing presence of international media swarming upon this small area of Rome in anticipation for what is to come. Catholics from all over the world are expected to start arriving tomorrow, when the Holy Father’s Coffin will be taken to St Peter’s Basilica, where he will lie in state for three days to be viewed by the public.
His funeral will take place at 10am on Saturday at the Vatican and he will be buried at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in central Rome. Cardinals this morning filed into the Vatican for their first meeting since the Pope’s death yesterday at 7.35am. Their first decision – to decide on when The Holy Father’s funeral will take place – was taken in a little over an hour.
The conclave – the process of electing a new pope – should begin no fewer than 15 and no more than 20 days after the death, and this first gathering was the start of what will ultimately culminate in electing the new head of the Catholic church. The cogs of this well-trodden process, created and refined over centuries, are well and truly turning.
It feels almost too soon, barely 24 hours since his death, but this is how it works in Vatican City. Much like the death of a UK Monarch, the system kicks, and the rest follows.
Nuns are still walking the famous cobbles of St Peter’s Square, in mourning and clutching rosary beads, and pilgrims from all over the world continue their journeys to the steps of the Vatican, as has happened daily in this Jubilee year.
But the famous Square and surrounding area already has several of its regular entrance walkways now closed off and guarded with police, checking the bags of all those who pass through.
While scaffolding providing huge platforms that will stage TV broadcasters from around the world are being built, portaloos have been installed and mini-prefabs prepared for the massive media presence that is already flooding the city.
There is a clear sense of purpose amid the sadness. For tourists, it is an historic time to be visiting.
Dutch couple Ella Voogt and Arjan Emmens, both 51, are on a day visit from Tuscany, and watch on in bewilderment at the growing crowds and the mixed sense of occasion and sadness before them.
“Intense is the word, I think,” said Ella. “It’s a strange but a very special moment to be here in Rome,” added Arjan. “This is history. I cannot image what it will look like from tomorrow.”
Grace, 33, who lives in Ireland, is on holiday with her sister Gift, 36, who flew from their native Tanzania to meet her sibling in Rome for Easter.
“Yesterday we just came straight out of the AirBnB, we hadn’t seen any news and it’s not announced on a speaker or anything, so we had no idea what had happened,” said Grace.
“The we got a call saying The Pope had died, we couldn’t believe it. Today is already a lot busier than yesterday.”
Tomorrow will be busier, and again the day after as the build up to this popular Pope’s funeral moves at speed.