Tens of thousands bid farewell to Pope Francis lying in state

People attend a special mass for Pope Francis in St. Patrick's Cathedral on April 22, 2025, in New York City. Pope Francis passed away in the early morning hours of April 21st at the age of 88. [AFP]

Tens of thousands of mourners began saying their last goodbyes to Pope Francis at St Peter's Basilica Wednesday, as the body of the late Argentine pontiff began three days of lying in state.