Pope Francis’ body transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica for 3 days of public viewing

The bells of St. Peter’s tolled Wednesday (April 23, 2025) because the body of Pope Francis was transferred from the Vatican resort the place he lived into the basilica, escorted by a procession of solemn cardinals and Swiss Guards by the identical piazza the place the pontiff had greeted the trustworthy from his popemobile simply days earlier than in what turned his last goodbye.

Pallbearers carried the straightforward wood coffin on their shoulders by the Vatican’s archway gates, out into St. Peter’s Square and into the basilica, the cardinals of their scarlet cassocks, bishops of their purple robes and the Swiss Guards of their golden and blue uniforms processing slowly behind.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who’s working the Vatican quickly till a brand new pope is elected, led the procession, with clouds of incense previous him because the church choir started chanting the Litany of Saints hymn. In pairs, the cardinals approached the casket, bowed and made an indication of the cross, adopted by small teams of bishops, ushers, clergymen and nuns.

Heads of state are anticipated for Francis’ funeral on April 26, however the three days of public viewing within the basilica will enable bizarre Catholics to grieve the 88-year-old pope, who died on Monday after struggling a stroke. The basilica was being stored open till midnight to accommodate the crowds, a mourning interval that can finish on Friday at 7 p.m., when Francis’ casket is closed and sealed.

Cardinal Camerlengo Kevin Joseph Farrell, heart, flanked by grasp of ceremonies Mons. Krzysztof Marcjanowicz, left, and Archbishop Diego Giovanni Ravelli, blesses the body of Pope Francis inside St. Peter’s Basilica on the Vatican
| Photo Credit:
AP

Mourners within the piazza watched as Francis’ casket handed them by, alongside the identical path the pope had travelled simply days earlier than, on Easter Sunday, in what turned his last popemobile tour by the trustworthy. It was a shock salute, which Francis determined on the final minute after being assured by his nurse he might do it regardless of his continued frail well being from pneumonia.

Period of transition

Francis’ dying and funeral inaugurates a rigorously orchestrated interval of transition within the 1.4-billion sturdy Catholic Church, with cardinals gathering over the approaching week earlier than getting into right into a conclave, the secretive ritual voting within the Sistine Chapel to elect a brand new pope. There are 135 cardinals beneath age 80 and eligible to vote within the conclave, and the brand new pontiff will seemingly come from inside their ranks. The conclave is just not anticipated to start earlier than May 5.

Francis first lay in state within the Domus Santa Marta resort in a non-public viewing for Vatican residents and the papal family. Images launched by the Vatican on Tuesday confirmed Francis mendacity in an open casket, carrying the standard pointed headdress of bishops and purple robes, his palms folded over a rosary. The Vatican’s No. 2, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, was pictured praying by Francis.

Once contained in the basilica, Francis’ casket wasn’t placed on an elevated bier — as was the case with previous popes — however was simply positioned on an inclined ramp the principle altar of the Sixteenth-century basilica, dealing with the pews, with 4 Swiss Guards standing at consideration by its aspect. It was in step with Francis’ personal needs for all of the rituals surrounding a papal funeral to be simplified and mirror the pope’s position as a easy pastor, not a world chief.

“Look kindly, Lord, on the life and works of your servant, our Pope Francis,” Farrell stated from the altar. “Welcome him into the dwelling of perpetual light and peace and grant that your faithful people may follow fervently in his footsteps, bearing witness to the Gospel of Jesus.”

Security tightened

Italian police have tightened safety for the viewing and the funeral, finishing up foot and horse patrols across the Vatican, the place pilgrims continued to arrive for the Holy Year celebrations that Francis opened in December. The trustworthy who stroll by St. Peter’s Holy Door are granted indulgences, a approach to assist atone for sins.

“For me, Pope Francis represents a great pastor, as well as a great friend to all of us,’’ said Micale Sales, visiting St. Peter’s Basilica from Brazil.

“I think he spread a positive message around the world, saying there shouldn’t be any violence, there should be peace around the world,’’ said Amit Kukreja, from Australia.

Funeral

The funeral has been set for Saturday at 10 a.m. in St. Peter’s Square, and will be attended by leaders including U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodmyr Zelenskyy.

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.

“The death of a pope is not a small thing, because we’ve lost our leader,’’ said Julio Henrique from Brazil. “But still, in a few days, we will have a new leader. So … the thing of hope remains. Who will assume Peter’s throne?”