‘Ring of steel’ erected around Vatican after Pope Francis’s final testament revealed
Steel fencing has gone up around the Vatican (Picture: AFP)
A ring of steel has been erected around St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City in preparation for Pope Francis’ funeral.
Last night, the cobble-stoned square was filled with tens of thousands of mourners who had come to pay their respects after the death of the pontiff at the age of 88.
And overnight, lines and lines of metal barricades were assembled, replacing thousands of mourners from the day before.
This comes as the coming days will bring 200 world leaders, like Donald Trump, and millions of pilgrims to Rome.
The Pope’s body will be brought for public viewing in St Peter’s Basilica in a few days, as per new rites Francis approved last year.
The public will likely be able to begin paying their final respects to Francis starting on Wednesday, the Vatican said.
The funeral date has not yet been confirmed, but it must be held between four and six days after the death, and is set to be announced after the cardinals meet on Tuesday morning.
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