Vatican: More than 20,000 gather as mourners file past Pope Francis’s open coffin ⁰

Pope Francis’s body has been moved from his residence in the Vatican to lie in state at St Peter’s Basilica

Mourners are now filing past the coffin.

The open coffin will stay in front of the Papal Altar during the three days of public mourning

Bells rang and people applauded as the procession made its way through St Peter’s Square

The Pope died on Monday morning – his funeral will take place on Saturday, attended by leaders from around the world.

As many as 20,000 pilgrims gathered at St Peter’s Square today to witness the procession of Pope Francis’s body, according to reports by Vatican media.

Many of those who witnessed the service in the square will likely also join the queue to see the Pope lying in state.

The transfer of the Pope’s coffin to St Peter’s Basilica began at 09:00 local time (08:00 BST) on Wednesday, following a prayer ceremony in the chapel of Casa Santa Marta, where the Pope lived.

The procession was led by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the camerlengo. He is the person who runs the Vatican after the death or resignation of a pope.

Source: BBC