Pictures: Crowd pay respect as Pope Francis’s open coffin is transferred to Saint Peter’s Basilica
Pope Francis’s open coffin was solemnly carried to St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday, accompanied by a dignified procession of red-robed cardinals and Swiss Guards.
To the solemn tolling of St. Peter’s bells, pallbearers lifted the simple wooden coffin from Casa Santa Marta—the humble residence where the pontiff lived and passed away—and began the slow, reverent walk toward the basilica.
Flanked by eight Swiss Guards in full ceremonial attire, the coffin made its way through St. Peter’s Square, where tens of thousands had gathered to pay their respects.
Read also: Pope Francis’ body to be taken to St Peter’s Basilica ahead of funeral
The procession included priests in traditional choir dress and cassocks, some holding candles, followed by clusters of nuns in quiet prayer. The atmosphere was one of reverence and mourning.
Pope Francis, the first pontiff from Latin America, died on Monday at the age of 88, following a stroke, coma, and heart failure.
His funeral, scheduled for Saturday, is expected to draw massive crowds along with world leaders and dignitaries from across the globe.
![Pope Francis's body, which will lie in state for three days, arrives at St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. [Gregorio Borgia/AP Photo]](https://cdn.businessday.ng/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Untitled-design-2025-04-23T115028.253-1.png)
The body of Pope Francis is carried to St Peter’s Basilica. [Stefano Costantino/AP Photo]
Pallbearers, next to Swiss guardsmen, carry the coffin of the late pope as it is taken from the chapel of Santa Marta to St Peter’s Basilica. [Alberto Pizzoli/AFP]
Nuns wait for Pope Francis’s body to be transferred to St Peter’s Basilica. [Kevin Coombs/Reuters]
The crowd watch as the body of Pope Francis is carried through St Peter’s Square to St Peter’s Basilica. [Stefano Costantino/AP Photo]
Pope Francis’s body passes through the crowd at the Vatican. [Bernat Armangue/AP Photo]
People gather in St Peter’s Square as they await the arrival of the body of Pope Francis. [Markus Schreiber/AP Photo
![Swiss guardsmen and members of the clergy stand next to the coffin of Pope Francis inside St Peter's Basilica. [Tiziana Fabi/AFP]](https://cdn.businessday.ng/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Untitled-design-2025-04-23T115729.389.png)
Nuns wait for Pope Francis’s body to be transferred to St Peter’s Basilica. [Kevin Coombs/Reuters]
The crowd watch as the body of Pope Francis is carried through St Peter’s Square to St Peter’s Basilica. [Stefano Costantino/AP Photo]
Swiss guardsmen and members of the clergy stand next to the coffin of Pope Francis inside St Peter’s Basilica. [Tiziana Fabi/AFP]
