According to estimates by Italian authorities, shortly after 7 p.m. in St. Peter’s Square and surrounding streets there are more than 100,000 worshippers waiting in line so they can enter the basilica and pay homage to the late Pope Francis.

Authorities have made it known that, due to the continuous attendance of the faithful, entry to the church may be allowed after midnight both today and tomorrow.

Watch a live image from St. Peter’s Basilica:

Austrian security measures and people from around the world

Since early morning, thousands of people have been flocking from every side of the square, forming long lines to venerate the body of Pope Francis. The police presence is intense, while additional checkpoints and barriers have been set up around the perimeter of the square, creating a climate of heightened preparedness.

Among the crowd are both tourists already in Rome and faithful who have travelled especially for this moment – Catholics from every corner of the globe, from the United Kingdom and the United States to Zimbabwe.

As many of them state, they felt it was their duty to be here. In fact, several stress that they had no particular difficulty in finding flights to get to the Italian capital.