Hundreds of thousands of mourners to watch Vatican procession

A group of poor and needy people will welcome Pope Francis body at St Mary Major, where he will be buried later today, symbolizing the legacy left behind the late pontiff, who chose his papal name to emphasize the spirit of poverty and peace embodied by Saint Francis of Assisi.

“For this reason, a group of poor and needy people will be present on the steps leading to the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major to pay their final respects to Pope Francis before the entombment of his casket,” the Vatican announced Thursday.

It is very symbolic of the Pope’s life, pontificate and legacy that the rich and powerful, including the heads of state, cardinals, and clergy of the world will bid him farewell when he leaves St. Peter’s Square one last time after the funeral, and the poor and destitute will welcome him on the steps of the Basilica where he will rest in peace.