Pallbearers, subsequent to Swiss Guards, carry the coffin of the late Pope as it’s transported from the chapel of Santa Marta to St Peter’s Basilica, following the Pope’s dying, within the Vatican on April 23, 2025. Agence France-Presse
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis’s coffin started its switch to St Peter’s Basilica Wednesday for 3 days of mendacity in state, with 1000’s of well-wishers gathering to pay their respects to the chief of the world’s Catholics earlier than he’s laid to relaxation.
Crowds gathered in St Peter’s Sq. from early morning to catch a glimpse of the Argentine pope, who died on Monday aged 88, and to start queuing for the general public viewing which begins at 11:00 am (0900 GMT).
Francis died within the Casa Santa Marta, the modest residence the place he lived throughout his 12-year papacy. His physique was moved from the chapel there to St Peter’s on Wednesday morning.
READ: Pope Francis: Remembering his life, teachings and legacy – Dwell Updates
Accompanied by a procession together with red-robed cardinals, his easy wooden coffin will enter by the central door of the basilica earlier than being positioned earlier than the Altar of the Confession.
Anna Montoya, 33, from Mexico, mentioned she determined to come back to bid farewell in particular person as Francis was like “a member of the family” to her.
“I needed to come… it seems like I knew him,” she instructed AFP, including: “He was man. He represented what the church must be, what Jesus needed to show us.”
READ: Pope Francis’ funeral: These are the world leaders set to attend
Saturday’s funeral is anticipated to attract tons of of 1000’s of pilgrims, in addition to world leaders together with US President Donald Trump, Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky, in addition to Britain’s Prince William.
Afterwards, Francis’s coffin shall be transported to his favorite church, Rome’s papal basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, the place will probably be interred within the floor and marked by a easy inscription: Franciscus.
He’ll grow to be the primary pope in additional than 100 years to be laid to relaxation exterior the Vatican.
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