Pope Francis' coffin is carried through the Vatican as huge crowds gather to file past his body during three-day laying in state at St Peter's Basilica

Thousands of Catholic faithful gathered at the Vatican this morning as the body of the late Pope Francis was carried through huge crowds and into the St. Peter’s Basilica during a solemn processional to mark the start of his official lying in state.

Mourners, including nuns and the ordinary faithful, wept as the coffin of the late pontiff, who died on Easter Monday aged 88, was moved from his residence at Casa Santa Marta to the basilica this morning.

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.

The body of the 88-year-old pope, who died in his rooms at the Santa Marta guesthouse after suffering a stroke, was held aloft on a wooden platform by 14 white-gloved, black-suited pallbearers.

As the coffin crossed St. Peter’s Square, a crowd of several thousand broke into repeated applause – a traditional Italian sign of respect at such events.

Pope Francis, who spent five weeks in hospital earlier this year being treated for double pneumonia, last appeared in public on Easter Sunday, when he surprised pilgrims by being driven around the packed square in his white, open-topped popemobile.

His body will lie in state in St. Peter’s until for the next three days, allowing faithful to pay their respects. The basilica will open at 7am and close at midnight to allow as many people as possible to file past.

The final day of lying in state will end at 7pm so that St Peter’s can be prepared for his funeral Mass on Saturday which will be attended by high profile VIPs including Prince William, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

At least 200,000 people are expected to attend the outdoor service this weekend.

The body of Pope Francis is placed into St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, where he will lie in state for three days

The body of Pope Francis is carried into St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican this morning

A huge crowd of mourners watch as the body of Pope Francis is transferred to the Basilica at St Peter’s Square today

The body of Pope Francis is carried into St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican this morning

A nun cries as the body of Pope Francis is carried into St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican this morning

A woman is seen wiping her tears as the body of Pope Francis is processed through St. Peter’s Square this morning

A nun displays the makes of the cross and a tearful woman places her hand over her heart as Pope Francis’ coffin is processed past them in St. Peter’s Square this morning

The body of Pope Francis has been transfer inside St. Peter’s Basilica, where he will lie in state for three days

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Cardinal Pietro Parolin and other Cardinals are pictured in the Basilica during the ceremony

Cardinal Camerlengo Kevin Joseph Farrell blesses the body of Pope Francis inside St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican

The body of Pope Francis lies in state at the Basilica St Peter on April 23, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican

Catholic cardinals this morning performed the ritual ceremony to transfer Francis’ body from his home in the Vatican hotel to St. Peter’s.

Vatican Camerlengo Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who is running the Vatican administration until a new pope is elected, presided over the solemn ceremony in the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta hotel where Francis lived.

Francis’ casket was flanked by four Swiss Guards standing at attention. Outside, priests carrying long candles waited to lead the procession – with Swiss Guards at their sides – into the basilica.

Pallbearers carried the simple wooden coffin on their shoulders through the Vatican’s archway gates, leading out into St. Peter’s Square, and passed the huge crowds of mourners.

The late pope’s open wooden coffin was carried by pallbearers the 500 metres from the Casa Santa Marta, where he lived and died, behind a procession of red-robed cardinals. Swiss Guards were at their sides in their golden and blue uniforms.

Mourners in the piazza watched as Francis’ casket passed by along the same path the pope had travelled just days before on Easter Sunday, in what became his final popemobile tour through the faithful.

It was a surprise salute, which Francis decided at the last minute after being assured by his nurse he could do it despite his continued frail health from pneumonia.

Catholic cardinals this morning performed the ritual ceremony to transfer Francis’ body from the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta hotel, where Francis lived, to St. Peter’s Basilica

Cardinals pay their respects to Pope Francis inside St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, where his body will lie in state for three days, on April 23, 2025

A nun reacts at St. Peter’s Square, on the day of the translation of Pope Francis’ body and its transfer to Saint Peter’s Basilica, at the Vatican, April 23, 2025

The Catholic faithful watch as Cardinals, accompanied by Swiss Guards, transport Pope Francis’ coffin into Saint Peter’s Basilica this morning

The bells of St. Peter’s Basilica tolled this morning as Pope Francis’ body was transferred from the Vatican hotel where he lived to the basilica, escorted by a procession of solemn cardinals and Swiss Guards

A woman reacts as the ceremony with the Pope Francis’ body, who will lie in state for three days, arrives at St. Peter’s Basilica

Twelve pall bearers, all dressed in pale blue suits, carried the open coffin at shoulder height through the square behind the Vatican and into St Peter’s

Thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square this morning to watch the ritual ceremony. Crowds began gathering in the square just before 7am so they could be among the first to enter the basilica when the official lying in state begins at 11am

Pope Francis’ body passed through the crowd at the Vatican during a ceremony transporting it to St. Peter’s Basilica, where the late pontiff will lie in state for three days

Cardinals pray and mourn Pope Francis as his body is transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica from the Chapel of Santa Marta

Pallbearers, next to Swiss Guards, carry the coffin of the late Pope Francis (centre) at St Peter’s Square, entering St Peter’s Basilica, during the procession from the chapel of Santa Marta to St Peter’s Basilica today

Pope Francis’ body is carried in a coffin into Saint Peter’s Basilica, where he will lie in state for three days, this morning

The body of Pope Francis passes through the crowd at the Vatican this morning during the processional

The coffin containing the body of the late Pope Francis is carried to St. Peter’s Basilica during a procession this morning

The faithful gather during a procession on the day of the transfer of Pope Francis’ body to St Peter’s Basilica

The procession with the body of Pope Francis, who will lie in state for three days, enters St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican

Cardinals pay their respects as the body of Pope Francis lies in state at the Basilica St Peter on April 23, 2025 in Vatican City

A person prays at St. Peter’s Square, on the day of the translation of Pope Francis’ body and its transfer to Saint Peter’s Basilica, at the Vatican, April 23, 2025

An honour guard of 18 Swiss Guards, dressed in their colourful red, blue and yellow uniforms carrying ceremonial lances, lined up in front of St. Peter’s Basilica just before 9am (8am BST) today.

The crowds gathered in front of St. Peter’s hushed as Cardinal Farrell read a prayer in Latin from Santa Marta chapel, where the Pope’s coffin had been since Monday. A choir sang as cardinals in their red cassocks and capes stood in prayer.

The ceremony from inside the Santa Marta chapel was relayed on giant screens that had been erected overnight.

Four ushers then wheeled the coffin from the chapel and the bell on the left-hand side of St Peter’s began it’s solemn tolling at 9.10am to mark the start of the procession.

The procession was led by Cardinals, who in a few weeks will be tasked with electing a new Pope when they meet for their Conclave. It passed through the Piazza Santa Marta and the Piazza dei Protomartiri before entering St. Peter’s Square through the Arch of Bells.

Twelve pall bearers, all dressed in pale blue suits, carried the open coffin at shoulder height through the square behind the Vatican and into the basilica. As they walked, the tolling belling and Latin chanting of prayers, added to the solemn atmosphere of the proceedings.

Priests carrying candled also flanked the coffin and there was a further outer cohort of Swiss Guards either side of the coffin.

By the time the coffin came into view, around 20,000 people had gathered in St Peter’s square, under a fierce sun with temperature already 20C.

Vatican Camerlengo Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the man temporarily in charge of the Roman Catholic Church until the next Pope is elected, marked the start of the procession with prayer

A cardinal makes the sign of the cross as he walks past the coffin of Pope Francis on the day of the translation of his body, in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, April 23, 2025

Pope Francis’ body is carried in a coffin into Saint Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican today

A Swiss Guard stands as people gather in St Peter’s Square on the day of the translation of Pope Francis’ body from his home in the Vatican hotel to St. Peter’s Basilica this morning

Pallbearers, next to Swiss Guards, carry the coffin of the late Pope Francis as it is transported from the chapel of Santa Marta to St Peter’s Basilica today

Pope Francis, whose open casket is pictured today during a processional to St. Peter’s Basilica, died of a stroke on April 21, 2025. The 88-year-old reformer inspired devotion but riled traditionalists during 12 years leading the Catholic Church

Faithful sit outside the Basilica at St Peter’s Square before the body of Pope Francis is transferred

Nuns wait on the day of the translation of Pope Francis’ coffin at the Vatican, April 23, 2025

Pallbearers, next to Swiss Guards, carry the coffin of the late Pope Francis through the crowd in St Peter’s Square today

The coffin entered the basilica though the central doors and was placed by the Altar of the Confession, where Cardinal Farrell blessed it with holy water and incense.

He then read from the Gospel of St John: ‘At that time Jesus lifted up his eyes to Heaven, and praying said: ‘Father I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.

‘O Righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me.

‘I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.’ (John 17 21-24)

As requested by Pope Francis in his will, there was no elaborate raised catafalque for his coffin, just a simple wooden board for it to be carried on.

Pilgrims in the crowd were able to follow the service via 58 page booklet posted online by the Vatican.

Cardinal Farrell said: ‘Brothers and sisters, let us pray to God our Father, that he may welcome our departed Shepherd, to his eternal home, and increase our faith in the resurrection of the dead.’

At this another ripple of applause broke out among the faithful before the service concluded with the Our Father prayer and Marian Antiphon 75 minutes after it had started.

Attendees sit at St Peter’s Square during the ceremony following the procession of the coffin of the late Pope, transported from the chapel of Santa Marta to St Peter’s Basilica, in the Vatican on April 23, 2025

The faithful watch as Pope Francis’ open coffin is carried through St. Peter’s Square this morning

Two nuns are seen offering each other support at St Peter’s Square today during the ceremony following the procession of the coffin of the late pope

Members of the clergy arrive at St. Peter’s Square, on the day of the translation of Pope Francis’ body and its transfer to Saint Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, April 23, 2025

Cardinals arrive during the transfer of Pope Francis’s coffin to Saint Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City today

People watch as the coffin with the body of Pope Francis, who will lie in state at St. Peter’s Basilica for three days, is carried in St. Peter’s Square, at the Vatican, Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Pallbearers carry the coffin of Pope Francis to Saint Peter’s Basilica, in Vatican City, 23 April 2025

Cardinals enter Saint Peter’s Basilica, on the day of the translation of Pope Francis’ body, at the Vatican, April 23, 2025

Crowds began gathering in St. Peter’s Square just before 7am so they could be among the first to enter the basilica when the official lying in state begins at 11am.

Those wanting to file past the coffin have been told to expect a long wait and come prepared with water and snacks.

When Pope John Paul II died in 2005 more than four million people attended his lying in state and later funeral. Officials expect similar numbers for Francis.

Pallets of water bottles have been stockpiled along the main Via della Conciliazione, which leads to St. Peter’s, and first aid tents have also been set up.

Italian police have tightened security for the viewing and the funeral, carrying out foot and horse patrols around the Vatican, where pilgrims continued to arrive for the Holy Year celebrations that Francis opened in December.

The faithful who walk through St. Peter’s Holy Door are granted indulgences, a way to help atone for sins.

Metal detectors have also been installed at various key points and sharp shooters will be positioned on rooftops for Saturday’s funeral.

Clergymen walk past the body of Pope Francis, who will lie in state for three days, after it arrived in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Members of the clergy attend a ceremony inside St Peter’s Basilica following the procession of the late Pope’s coffin from the chapel of Santa Marta to St Peter’s Basilica, in the Vatican on April 23, 2025

Clergymen follow the procession with the body of Pope Francis, who will lie in state for three days, entering St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, April 23, 2025

An interior view of the Basilica St Peter before the body of Pope Francis is transferred today

People queue on the day of the translation of Pope Francis’ body, which will be transported inside the Saint Peter’s Basilica today

Images released by the Vatican on Tuesday showed Francis lying in an open casket, wearing the traditional pointed headdress of bishops and red robes, his hands folded over a rosary

Ahead of his lying in state the pontiff’s body was embalmed and given a touch of make up.

Francis first laid in state in the Santa Marta Domus in a private viewing for Vatican residents and the papal household.

Images released by the Vatican on Tuesday showed Francis lying in an open casket, wearing the traditional pointed headdress of bishops and red robes, his hands folded over a rosary.

The Vatican’s No. 2, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, was pictured praying by Francis.

Cardinals are continuing their meetings this week to plan the conclave to elect Francis’ successor, make other decisions about running the Catholic Church as world leaders and the ordinary faithful grieve the pontiff’s death.

History’s first Latin American pontiff charmed the world with his humble style and concern for the poor but alienated many conservatives with critiques of capitalism and climate change.

He last appeared in public on Sunday with an Easter blessing and popemobile tour through a cheering crowd in St. Peter’s Square.

He had some reservations about looping through the square packed with 50,000 faithful, Vatican News reported on Tuesday, but overcame them – and was thankful that he had greeted the crowd. He died the next morning.

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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk

Pope Francis’ coffin is carried through the Vatican as huge crowds gather to file past his body during three-day laying in state at St Peter’s Basilica