Red-hatted cardinals, bishops, candle-carrying friars and helmeted Swiss Guards walked slowly into the vast, sunlit square in front of the basilica as a choir chanted psalms and prayers in Latin while a bell gently tolled.

The body of the 88-year-old Pope, who died two days ago in his rooms at the Santa Marta guesthouse after suffering a stroke, was held aloft on a wooden platform by 14 white-gloved, black-suited pallbearers.

As the coffin crossed St. Peter’s Square, a crowd of several thousand broke into repeated applause, a traditional Italian sign of respect at such events.

“He’s like a member of the family. Somebody very close to our hearts, somebody who made the Church very accessible to everybody and inclusive to everybody,” said Rachel Mckay, a pilgrim from Britain.

Francis, who had only recently left hospital after five weeks being treated for double pneumonia, last appeared in public on Sunday, when he delighted onlookers gathered to celebrate Easter by being driven around the packed square in his white, open-topped Popemobile.

Vatican officials rushed today to help the pallbearers carry the coffin up a stone incline, before the procession passed through St. Peter’s giant bronze doors and into the hushed interior of the ornate, cavernous church.

Pope’ body will lie in state in St. Peter’s Basilica until Friday evening, allowing the faithful to pay their respects.

His funeral is set for Saturday and will draw heads of state and government from around the world, including United States President Donald Trump, who clashed repeatedly with the Pope on social issues such as immigration.

Leaders from Italy, France, Germany, Britain, Ukraine, Brazil, European Union institutions and Francis’ home nation of Argentina have also confirmed their presence, amongst many others.

--Reuters--