23 April 2025 9:40am
9:40AM Thousands of loyal worshippers have already begun queuing to see Pope Francis in state.
St Peter’s Basilica, which is set to welcome members of the public from 11am, will allow mourners to pay their respects for three days before the funeral on Saturday.
9:01AM The reveal of the coffin has prompted a noticeable change in St Peter’s square – which continued to be full of holidaying tourists up until this morning.
A solemn and eerie silence filled the square as Cardinal Kevin Farrell read his prayer – watched on by nuns who peered from windows within the higher tiers of the Basilica.
The tolls of the bell – which accompanied the slow and steady procession of Pope Francis’s coffin – continued for several minutes as hundreds of clergymen and worshippers walked ahead and behind the late pontiff.
8:54AM Worshippers are continuing to pray as religious music continues following the procession of the coffin.
In a little over an hour at 11am local time (10am BST), the first members of the public will be permitted to see Pope Francis laying in state to pay their respects in person.
The red-lined coffin, flanked by eight Swiss guards, was carried into the square open casket.
8:36AM A roar of applause was heard as Pope Francis’s open casket coffin was carried up the stairs and into St Peter’s Basilica, where it will lay for three days.
Nuns and worshippers followed the late pontiff’s simple wooden coffin which he had requested in his wishes.
Worshippers stood and clapped respectfully as the coffin was taken up the stairs – followed by hundreds of nuns and others in a solemn procession that lasted around 15 minutes.
8:30AM Pope Francis’s coffin has emerged in public for the first time as it is moved to St Peter’s Basilica.
Crowds applauded as the late pontiff’s scarlet rimmed coffin appeared on St Peter’s Square.
Flanked by eight Swiss guards, the coffin was preceded by hundreds of clergymen who walked ahead of the coffin in a solemn procession on a hot spring morning.
More than 5,000 worshippers gathered to watch the procession, accompanied by music and the toll of the Vatican bell tower.
8:28AM “Dear brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow, we now accompany the mortal remains of our Pope Francis to the Vatican Basilica, where he often exercised his ministry as Bishop of the Church which is in Rome and as Pastor of the universal Church.
“As we now leave this home, let us thank the Lord for the countless gifts that he bestowed on the Christian people through his servant, Pope Francis.
“Let us ask him, in his mercy and kindness, to grant the late Pope an eternal home in the kingdom of heaven, and to comfort with celestial hope the papal family, the Church in Rome and the faithful throughout the world.
“Look kindly, Lord, on the life and works of your servant, our Pope Francis. 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, who lives and reigns for ever and ever.”
