VATICAN CITY: The Vatican opened St Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday to allow the public to pay their final respects to Pope Francis, following his death on Monday at age 88. Thousands filled the central aisle as Swiss Guards stood in solemn attention.
Francis’ body will lie in state in the basilica until his funeral and burial on Saturday. The public mourning period began at 11 am, after his casket was transported from the Vatican hotel where he lived.
A procession of cardinals and bishops led the casket through St Peter’s Square, the same place where the pope gave his final Easter Sunday salute just days before his passing.
Agencies