The rush to see Pope Francis lying in state has become a disorganised crush, with authorities under fire for losing control of the huge crowd at the Vatican. Italian media claim a staggering 100,000 mourners have queued day and night for a few precious seconds beside the late pontiff at St Peter’s Basilica. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Chaos at thousands queue to see Pope Francis. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Critics of the long wait times — some have reportedly spent eight hours in line — say it is a miracle no one has been hurt. “It’s always chaotic but this is a whole ‘nother level,” one waiting pilgrim said. Another said: “This is very unexpected to be honest — people are getting very upset.” Among those front and centre to a moment in history were Australians. “Amazing. (I) just happened to be here when the Pope passed away so I said ‘no, I’ve got to come here’,” Lui Cortazzo told 7NEWS. Victorian Rhian Lumscen described it as a “once in a lifetime opportunity”. The rush to see Pope Francis lying in state has become a disorganised crush. Credit: 7NEWS Italian authorities are under fire for losing control of the huge crowd at the Vatican. Credit: 7NEWS It is unclear how many people are in Rome for the faith or a photo but either way the lines are a sign of the Pope’s popularity. The complaints heard outside fell silent inside, with the experience leaving some near-speechless. “I got shivers, I really did,” Cortazzo said. “(Francis) just looked so at peace. “You have those life experiences of getting married, having children, my grandchildren, (this) would have to be up there.” As Wednesday night wore on, queues got longer and there were even stampedes. It took 7NEWS' Chris Reason three hours for a moment with the pontiff. Credit: 7NEWS Lui Cortazzo said he got shivers during his glimpse of Pope Francis. Credit: 7NEWS The body of the 88-year-old pontiff, who died on Monday in his rooms at the Vatican’s Santa Marta guesthouse after suffering a stroke, was brought to St Peter’s in a solemn procession on Wednesday. Francis, a groundbreaking reformer, had an often turbulent 12-year reign in which he repeatedly clashed with traditionalists and championed the poor and marginalised. On Saturday, more than 170 delegations including heads of state and government are expected in St Peter’s Square for the funeral ceremony, with millions more watching on television across the globe. “A chapter in the Church’s history has been closed,” Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Muller told Italian daily la Repubblica. The German cardinal, known to be a conservative and one of the 133 princes of the church expected to hold a conclave next month to elect the church’s 267th pontiff and successor to Francis, said there was “unanimous appreciation” for the Pope’s work on migrants and the poor. - With AAP