Pope Francis' Remains Moved To St Peter's Basilica For Public Viewing

The remains of Pope Francis have been transported to St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City for public viewing ahead of his funeral.

What Happened: Pope Francis’ body was moved from his residence to St. Peter’s Basilica in a solemn procession. The procession, accompanied by Latin chants and the tolling of a bell, included cardinals, bishops, friars, and Swiss Guards.

The Pope, who was 88 years old, passed away two days ago due to a stroke. His body, carried on a wooden platform by pallbearers, was met with applause from thousands of onlookers as it crossed St. Peter’s Square, a traditional Italian sign of respect.

See Also: How And When To Watch Pope Francis’ Funeral – Why ‘Conclave’ Might Become A Streaming Hit

Pope Francis’ body will lie in state in St. Peter’s Basilica until Friday evening, allowing the faithful to pay their respects. His funeral, scheduled for Saturday, is expected to attract heads of state and government from around the globe, including U.S. President Donald Trump.

The conclave to elect the new pope is not anticipated to begin before May 6. Cardinals now gathering in Rome will decide the date after what are often lengthy discussions. There is no clear successor to Francis, although British bookmakers have identified Luis Antonio Tagle, a reformer from the Philippines, and Pietro Parolin, from Italy, as early favourites.

Why It Matters: Pope Francis, known for his humility, progressive views, and advocacy for the poor, passed away on Monday at the age of 88, leading to an outpouring of tributes from global leaders, tech CEOs, and entertainment figures. Born in 1936, Pope Francis was the first South American Pope and was known as the "People's Pope" for his advocacy for the poor and those fleeing war and hunger. His death marks the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter for the Catholic Church.

Read Next: Cardinal Pietro Parolin-Themed Coin Skyrockets 770% As Crypto Bettors Think Vatican’s Secretary Of State Has Strong Chance Of Succeeding Pope Francis

Photo courtesy: AM113 / Shutterstock

Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.