More than 200,000 people are expected to Pope Francis’ funeral, which will take place this Saturday (26) in St. Peter’s Square, in front of the São Pedro Basilica, the Rome public transport company said.
Among them will be dozens of world leaders, including heads of state such as US President Donald Trump and members of the royalty of Spain, Sweden, Belgium and the United Kingdom.
About two thousand local police will be on duty, accompanied by thousands of other agents of national security forces, to ensure the safety of the celebration.
Security measures will include patrols on the Tiber River, drones, a military device to neutralize hostile flying objects and elite shooters, a police source said.
The streets around the Vatican will be closed to traffic on Saturday, and authorities are evaluating the best route to the procession that will take the funeral coffin to the Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica, where Francisco chose to be buried.
Pope Francis’ funeral and funeral
Pope Francis died on Monday (21), at the age of 88, after suffering a stroke and heart failure.
Thousands of people have passed their coffin since he was placed in St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday (23).
Security agents patrolled St. Peter’s Square this Thursday, while faithful formed a line to enter the Basilica.
The funeral will start at 10am on Saturday, local time (5am from Brasilia).
Fabio Ciciliano, head of the National Department of Civil Protection, said people could gather in St. Peter’s Square and throughout the four kilometers that separate the Vatican from Santa Maria Maggiore, on the other side of the Tiber River.
This content was originally published in over 200,000 people are expected to Pope Francis’ funeral on CNN Brazil.
Source: CNN Brasil
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