By The body of Pope Francis now lies in state at St. Peter’s Basilica, where mourners from around the world are gathering to pay their respects ahead of his funeral scheduled for Saturday.
His coffin, placed at the Altar of the Confessio near the tomb of St. Peter, was transferred in a solemn procession led by Camerlengo Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell. A brief antiphon and prayer service was held before the public was allowed entry.
“Let us thank the Lord for countless gifts that he bestowed on the Christian people through His servant Pope Francis,” Farrell prayed.
The Basilica is open to the public from 7am to midnight on Thursday and Friday. Thousands of mourners waited in long lines under clear skies in St. Peter’s Square.
World leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, are expected to attend the funeral, which will begin at 10am local time on Saturday.
Francis’ funeral will be held outdoors in St. Peter’s Square, mirroring the arrangements made for the funeral of his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, in 2023.
