Pope Francis’ open coffin was moved to St Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday, and thousands of people have lined up to pay their respects to the late pontiff as he lies in state ahead of his Saturday funeral.
The big picture: Video from the scene shows people lining up for hours to view the open coffin of the Catholic leader, who died on Easter Monday. President Trump is among the world leaders confirmed to attend the papal funeral.
The faithful go to St. Peter’s Basilica early in the morning to bid farewell to Pope Francis, whom the Vatican said of a stroke and heart failure while recovering from double pneumonia, which saw him hospitalized for five weeks. Photo: Michael Kappeler/picture alliance via Getty Images
People wait for St. Peter’s Basilica to open to pay their respects to the pope on April 24. Photo: Michael Kappeler/dpa (Photo by Michael Kappeler/picture alliance via Getty Images
Pallbearers place the body of Pope Francis inside St. Peter’s Basilica in The Vatican, on April 23, 2025. Photo: Andrew Medichini/Pool/AFP via Getty Images
Pilgrims and visitors line up in St Peter’s Square with the colonnade in the background to enter the St Peter’s Basilica and pay respects to the late Pope at the Vatican on April 23. Photo: Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP via Getty Images
Members of the clergy stand next to the coffin of the late Pope Francis (C) inside St Peter’s Basilica, during the procession from the chapel of Santa Marta to St Peter’s Basilica, following the Pope’s death, in the Vatican on April 23. Photo: Tiziana Fabi/AFP via Getty Images
Nuns line up in St. Peter’s Square to pay homage to the body of Pope Francis on April 23 in Vatican City, Vatican. Photo: Marco Di Lauro/Getty Images
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