Thousand gather to pay respects to late Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Basilica

For a second day, the body of Pope Francis lay in state at St. Peter’s Basilica as tens of thousands of people lined up to pay their respects.

On Thursday, the Vatical said more than 50,000 people had already walked by the pope, with thousands more expected.

At one point, the line stretched out of St. Peter’s Square and down the street – the longest the line had been since Francis’ body arrived at the Basilica on Wednesday.

The pontiff died on Monday at the age of 88 after suffering a stroke.

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