In brief
Crowds gather to honor the legacy of Pope Francis as he lies in state for the final time.
Pope Francis's body has been relocated from his Vatican residence to St Peter's Basilica, offering an opportunity for the faithful to pay their respects ahead of his funeral this Saturday. The pontiff's open coffin was solemnly carried through St Peter's Square Wednesday morning, with thousands of mourners gathering to share in a moment of grief. As the coffin made its way across the square, church bells rang and applause erupted, a traditional sign of reverence in Italy. Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88 due to complications from a stroke and double pneumonia. He made history as the first Latin American pope and served for 12 years. The procession, lasting about 40 minutes, featured red-robed cardinals and white-clad priests accompanying his coffin from the Casa Santa Marta guesthouse to St Peter's Basilica, escorted by the Swiss Guards responsible for the Pope's safety. Public viewing began at 11 AM local time, with crowds arriving early to honor the pontiff. American Mary Ellen, who traveled overnight by train to the Vatican, expressed her affection for "Papa Francesco," praising his humility and commitment to supporting immigrants and his brave stand against power in the Vatican. Others also shared their admiration for the pontiff's inclusive values, with onlookers from around the globe expressing hopes for his legacy to continue in future church leadership.World leaders, including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Prince William, are expected to attend the funeral. True to his simpler lifestyle, Pope Francis requested a modest ceremony funded by a benefactor. Following the service, he will be buried not in St Peter's but in a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary in central Rome, beneath a stone simply inscribed with his name. His personal residence is now sealed, marking the Sede Vacante, or "empty seat," period until a new pope is elected. The last public appearance of Pope Francis was on Easter Sunday, where he addressed the crowds from a wheelchair, reminding them of his enduring spirit and connection to his followers.
