According to Vatican media, up to 20,000 pilgrims saw the procession of Pope Francis’s body today in St. Peter’s Square.
It is probable that a large number of people who attended the liturgy in the square will also line up to view the Pope lying in state.
At 09:00 local time (08:00 BST) on Wednesday, after a prayer service in the chapel of the Pope’s residence, Casa Santa Marta, the casket was moved to St. Peter’s Basilica.
The camerlengo, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, led the procession. He is the person in charge of the Vatican following a pope’s resignation or death.
A resident of Vatican City said, “I hope the next Pope will follow his path.”
French restaurant owner Margaux, who lives in St Peter’s Square, is one of the many who intend to visit the basilica in the coming days to witness the Pope lying in state.
The parade and service today touched her.
Although it has been somewhat of a shock, Margaux tells the Newsline that she is happy to be able to attend the festivities as a Catholic and that she intends to go to the funeral on Saturday.
“I saw him here a few times; he had a lovely grin and a heartfelt message. She continues, “I really like him.”
Pope Francis was “very important” to Margaux because of his progressive ideals.
As she continues, “I hope the next pope will follow him along his path,” she admits that she is concerned about the events of the upcoming week. “I hope it’s going to be just like him, following his ideas,” Margaux responded.
Living in Vatican City is “mystical” and “beautiful,” Margaux continues, as she strolls among priests, nuns, and visitors among the striking architecture of the sacred center.
At 2:30, the Pope’s coffin was placed in front of the papal altar.
Located inside the magnificent St. Peter’s Basilica, in front of the Papal Altar, which is erected over the saint’s grave, is this image of the Pope’s casket.
It will stay there until Saturday’s funeral.
People visit St. Peter’s Basilica to see the Pope.
As a farewell tribute to Pope Francis, mourners have started to stream into St. Peter’s Basilica.
The basilica will remain open until 24:00 local time (23:00 BST) today, just in case you forgot.
Pope Francis is still being lamented by people worldwide.
Pope Francis is still being mourned by people worldwide, even though the attention remains on Vatican City.
The images below show the procession that took place this morning in St. Peter’s Square, where people were paying their respects to the late pope in Jakarta and Jerusalem.
People in Jakarta, Indonesia line up to be admitted into the Vatican Embassy to offer their condolences for the Pope, while others light candles as they attend a special mass prayer at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City of Jerusalem. A woman responds to the procession ceremony this morning that saw the Pope carried into St. Peter’s Basilica.
The public will soon be able to return to St. Peter’s Basilica.
The Pope’s remains will now rest in state within St. Peter’s Basilica until his burial on Saturday, as we have been reporting.
The public will be able to file past the open casket to offer their last respects when the basilica reopens in a few minutes.
The following times are when the basilica will be open:
Local time, Wednesday, April 23, 11:00–24:00
Local time, Thursday, April 24, from 7:00 to 24:00
From 7:00 until 19:00 local time on Friday, April 25
The moment the casket of Pope Francis reaches St. Peter’s Basilica
A brief service has just ended at St. Peter’s Basilica, where Pope Francis’s coffin has arrived.
During the procession, hundreds of people gathered in St. Peter’s Square to welcome the coffin.
The following video shows the moment the casket is delivered to the spot where Francis will now rest in state until Saturday’s funeral:
“The procession was profound and lovely.”
From South Africa, Charmaine and Luigi are traveling to Rome. They arrived on Monday, the day of the Pope’s passing, and while in the air, they watched live television to learn the news.
Just a few meters from where I was standing, the two of them saw the parade.
Charmaine comments, “It was beautiful – and amazing to be able to witness it,” while her husband nods. “It moved me a lot.”
After the lying-in-state commences, will they visit the Pope’s remains?
“No.” “Give him a peaceful rest,” Luigi says. “The Italian people are going to see him,” Charmaine continues.
They both agree that it was impressive to see the variety of languages used in the square today. “It’s unique and lovely that the entire world is together here today,” Charmaine remarks.
Following a brief service, members of the clergy honor the Pope.
At St. Peter’s Basilica, a choir is singing hymns while Swiss Guard members stand beside the late Pope’s coffin.
Before the basilica is opened to the public, cardinals and other clergy members present for the liturgy are now honoring the late pope.
Prior to the funeral on Saturday, Pope’s remains will remain in state.
For a period of public mourning, the Pope will lie in state inside the famous St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican from today until his funeral on April 26.
In a somber procession, the Pope is brought to St. Peter’s Square.
Now inside St. Peter’s Basilica, the Pope’s casket will lie in state until the burial on April 26.
The procession, which lasted just under forty minutes, passed through St. Peter’s Square and the throngs of believers who had come to pay their last respects before the body was carried from Casa Santa Marta, where Francis passed away on Monday.
The previous half hour has seen hundreds of people join the crowds in the square.
Over the past 30 minutes, the area has become very crowded, with hundreds of people entering and viewing the photos from the basilica on the enormous screen outside.
There is no question that a large number of people will now swarm St. Peter’s Square to witness the pope’s body up close.
Pope’s body is “as he died,” according to his biographer.
Pope Francis’s remains are currently at St. Peter’s Basilica, where they will remain in state until Saturday’s burial.
The casket will include a bag containing coins struck throughout Pope Francis’s pontificate, one for each year of his rule, according to his biographer Austen Ivereigh, who spoke to BBC News.
Popes’ bodies were once required to be embalmed, but that is no longer the case, Ivereigh says.
Except for the fact that “he is as he died,” the biographer claims that something will have been done to the Pope’s body to aid postpone the decomposition process.
Carrying the Pope’s casket into St. Peter’s Basilica
After being taken across St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis’s body has officially entered St. Peter’s Basilica.
The people will be able to pay their last respects to the late pontiff during a prayer service.
Elderly cardinals at St. Peter’s Basilica, waiting
We’re seeing photos of some senior cardinals inside St. Peter’s Basilica as the procession nears its conclusion, anticipating the placement of Pope Francis’s casket.
When Cardinal Camillo Ruini arrives at St. Peter’s Basilica, Cardinal Walter Brandmuller is inside the building when the Pope’s body is being moved.
There was cheering as Pope Francis’s casket arrived.
As the late pope’s remains has reached St. Peter’s Square, the procession from his home at Casa Santa Marta is coming to an end.
Worshippers who had come to offer their last respects cheered as the coffin vanished. According to our journalist Laura Gozzi, who is currently in the plaza, St. Peter’s bells continue to ring.
Now that the body has been brought into St. Peter’s Basilica, a service will be held before the public is permitted to enter to bid adieu.
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