People will be able to pay their respects to Francis through Friday. Given the large turnout of faithful wishing to pay homage to Pope Francis, the Vatican may extend the opening hours of St. Peter’s Basilica beyond the established time of midnight, the Vatican Press office said.

A conclave to choose a new pope normally takes place 15 to 20 days after the death of a pontiff, meaning this conclave should not start before May 6.

The Vatican says Pope Francis’ body may be transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica to allow worshippers to pay their respects tomorrow. Arrangements will be confirmed today The death of Pope Francis is deeply personal for many in the U.

By the time Francis took over as leader of the Catholic Church in 2013, meetings between the president and the pontiff had become commonplace. During the dozen years that he served as the pontiff, Francis, who died April 21, met each of the three men who served as the U.S. president during his papacy.