The Vatican has opened St. Peter’s Basilica to the public so thousands of Catholic faithful can pay their final respects to Pope Francis over the next three days.
Flocks of mourners are filling the central aisle of the basilica this morning, with Swiss Guards standing at attention, to see Francis’ body lying in state, with around 20,000 mourners crowding the square outside.
His simple wooden coffin has been positioned low to the ground at his request, breaking with the Vatican’s long-standing tradition of placing popes on an elevated catafalque. The first members of the public have now begun filing past the coffin, some crossing themselves or pausing briefly in prayer as they pay their respects.
The public mourning period
The public mourning period began at 11am (10am BST) today after the pontiff’s casket was transported from his residence at Casa Santa Marta to the basilica this morning. Mourners, including nuns and the ordinary faithful, wept as the coffin of the late pontiff was moved through the huge crowd in a solemn processional.
As the coffin crossed St. Peter’s Square, the crowd broke into repeated applause – a traditional Italian sign of respect at such events.
Red-hatted cardinals, priests, candle-carrying friars and helmeted Swiss Guards walked slowly into the vast, sunlit esplanade as a male choir chanted psalms and prayers in Latin while the great bells of the basilica tolled.
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