The world mourns: Faithful gather at St. Peter's for Pope Francis
On Wednesday, after 11 am local time, the faithful began to enter St. Peter's Basilica to pay their respects to the late Pope Francis. The coffin containing his body had earlier been moved from the chapel of the Domus Sanctae Marthae.
What do you need to know?
- On Wednesday, after 11 am local time, the first faithful entered St. Peter's Basilica to pay their respects to Pope Francis at his coffin.
- The coffin was transferred in a procession from the chapel of the Vatican's Domus Sanctae Marthae, where the Pope passed away on Monday.
- St. Peter's Basilica will be open on Wednesday until midnight, on Thursday from 7 am to midnight, and on Friday, the day before the funeral, from 7 am to 7 pm.
Earlier, cardinals and bishops who participated in the procession from the Domus Sanctae Marthae bid farewell to the deceased Pope. After 5 am, the first faithful entered St. Peter's Basilica, wishing to pay tribute to Francis.
Traditionally, the coffin was placed in the central part of the basilica, near the main altar. An honour guard is being provided by the Swiss Guard sentries.
Romans and pilgrims from around the world had been waiting for several hours in a long queue at St. Peter's Square. Once the basilica doors opened, the stream of the faithful slowly moved towards the Pope's body and then split into two parts, leaving the basilica through separate exits.
St. Peter's Basilica will be accessible to the faithful for several days. On Wednesday, it will remain open until midnight, on Thursday from 7 am to midnight, and on Friday, the day before the funeral, from 7 am to 7 pm.
The transfer of the Pope's coffin. What's happening in the Vatican?
The ceremony of transferring the coffin began with a prayer led by Cardinal Kevin Farrell in the chapel of the Vatican house - the Camerlengo managing the Church's affairs during the vacancy of the Holy See following the Pope's death.
The ritual of transferring the simple coffin, lined with red fabric, from the chapel of the Vatican house to the basilica took place amidst the sounds of bells, following the regulations contained in last year's updated document regarding papal funeral ceremonies.
