By Friday morning, over 130,000 people had filed past the coffin. Nearly 50,000 people took part in the funeral of Francis’s immediate predecessor, Pope Benedict, which was also held in St Peter’s Square, in January 2023.
Security measures at Pope Francis’ funeral
According to The Guardian report, Barriers have already been placed inside and outside St Peter’s Basilica to manage the crowds, security checks have been tightened and staff have been offering bottles of water due to the warm weather.
Rome has deployed advanced defence and security measures throughout the city and its airspace, placing anti-drone systems, enforcing a no-fly zone monitored by fighter jets, including sophisticated jamming technologies. Anti-terrorism and anti-sabotage units are also already present.
The basilica and the surrounding area are being patrolled by over 2,000 police officers between now and the end of the conclave that is likely to happen early next month in order to choose Francis’s successor. They will reportedly be supported by 400 traffic police officers who will help oversee the movement of the diplomatic convoys.
(With inputs from agencies)