With tens of thousands of people expected to descend on the Vatican, and the city of Rome, in the coming days, including as many as 170 foreign delegations, authorities in Italy are leaving nothing to chance.
Italian railways announced that they would be running special trains to Rome on Saturday to avoid crowds arriving in vehicles for the funeral. Rome taxi companies have promised 10-hour shifts in the coming days, writes Hungary’s Hirado news portal.
The Italian government and the civil protection services met in a separate meeting to discuss the necessary security and operational measures that would provide protection and a dignified welcome for both the crowds of believers and the high-level delegations.
Security checks have already been tightened, with those arriving at St. Peter’s Square only being allowed to enter and leave the square and its surroundings through designated gates. Parking is also prohibited in the streets surrounding the Vatican.
The construction of stands reserved for the press and the installation of projectors have begun on the avenue leading to St. Peter’s Square. According to Vatican sources cited by Hirado, more than 2,000 journalists and cameramen have been accredited for the funeral, with crews hunting for apartment terraces overlooking St. Peter’s Square, and owners asking a good price for them.
Souvenir sellers are also abuzz offering mementos commemorating the late pope.
Members of the College of Cardinals from different parts of the world are arriving as well to pay their respects at the coffin of Pope Francis in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta. The second floor of the Casa Santa Marta, where Pope Francis has room number 201, and the third floor of the apostolic palaces have been sealed — only to be reopened by the Holy See
About 60 cardinals attended the first meeting of the cardinals on Tuesday morning behind closed doors. The cardinals decided on the date of the funeral on Saturday, postponed the beatifications until the election of a new pope, and participated this morning in the ceremony in which Pope Francis’ coffin will be transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica.
The coffin will leave the Casa Santa Marta, be carried through St. Peter’s Square, and then proceed through the main entrance of the basilica, where it will remain for public viewing until Friday evening.
Cardinals Pietro Parolin, Stanislaw Rylko and Fabio Baggio, will assist Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, and have been appointed to handle current affairs until the election of a new head of state.
Saturday’s Mass will be followed by a thanksgiving ceremony led by Pietro Parolin in St. Peter’s Square.
