Easter pilgrims in sun-drenched St Peter's Square stunned by pope's death


  • World
  • Monday, 21 Apr 2025

A view shows St. Peter's Basilica, after the death of Pope Francis was announced by the Vatican, as seen from Rome, Italy, April 21, 2025. REUTERS/Remo Casilli

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - They had come from around the world and crammed into St Peter's Square to hear the pope deliver an appeal for peace on Easter. A day later, he was dead.

Tourists and pilgrims who flocked to Rome for Holy Week were dazed with shock at news of the death of Francis, the morning after he had driven in his open-topped pope mobile through crowds cheering "viva il papa!" on Christianity's holiest day.

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