As Pope Francis lies in state, Catholics gather in Rome to say goodbye

Joshua McElwee - Reuters - 12:31
Maria Pia Caruso travelled to Rome from her hometown in northern Italy after she learned Pope Francis had died at age 88, to say a final goodbye to a pontiff she believes brought important changes to the global Catholic Church.
VATICAN CITY, April 23 (Reuters) - Maria Pia Caruso travelled to Rome from her hometown in northern Italy after she learned Pope Francis had died at age 88, to say a final goodbye to a pontiff she believes brought important changes to the global Catholic Church.
Caruso entered St. Peter's Square with her husband at 7 a.m., to make sure they had a seat to watch the solemn procession bringing the pope's body to St. Peter's Basilica, where it will lie in state for three days.

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"This pope has been really important," said Caruso, speaking with her husband, Roberto Vallone. "(Francis) has changed many things ... let's hope that his successor continues with these changes and there is no going back."
Catholic faithful - already expected in Rome in large numbers for the Easter holiday and the ongoing Catholic Holy Year - will be allowed to pay their final respects to the pope through Friday evening.
The funeral, which will bring U.S. President Donald Trump and other world leaders to Rome,...
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