Pope Francis' body was placed in an open coffin and on Wednesday from his residence within the walls of the Vatican city to the solemn procession of St. Peter's Basilica.
Cardinals with red hammers, priests, candle monks and helmets of Swiss Guards slowly walked into the vast, sun-drenched marina stage, when the male choir chanted and prayed in Latin, while the cathedral bell rang.
The 88-year-old pope's body died two days ago in a room at the Santa Marta Hotel two days ago, and was fixed high on a wooden platform by 14 black-dressed pallbearers in white and black.
“Dear brothers and sisters, our brothers and sisters are very sad, and now we have accompanied Pope Francis’ mortal remains to the Vatican Cathedral,” said Kevin Farrell, an Irish-American Cardinal at the beginning of the ceremony.
Thousands of people were met with repeated applause as the coffin crossed St. Peter's Square, a sign of respect for traditional Italians in such events.
Catholics and global VIPs have begun landing in Vatican City to pay tribute to Pope Francis, ahead of Saturday’s funeral. Now, his progressive legacy may affect the choice of his successor, who will begin in the next few weeks.
Pilgrims come from all over the world
Pope Francis, who spent five weeks of pneumonia treatment in the hospital earlier this year, made his last public appearance on Sunday when he was surprised to drive around the packaged plaza with a white, open Popemobile.
His body will be located in the state of St. Peter's Basilica until Friday night, and the worshippers are allowed to pay tribute.
“He is like a family member. A person who is very close to our hearts, a person who makes the church very easy to visit by everyone and everyone is inclusive.”
When the wooden coffin was placed in front of the altar, dozens of cardinals stood in the cathedral, built in a place believed to have been buried after his death during Emperor Nero (54-68 AD).
Francis' body was dressed in red, holding the rosary tightly in his hands, and a white slash hanging on his head.
Francis shunned most of the grand and rituals traditionally associated with the role of the world's 1.4 billion Roman Catholics. Francis will be the first pope since Leo XIII in 1903, and he will be buried outside the Vatican, with his last resting place being the cathedral of Santa Maria Maggiore, one of the four main cathedrals of Roman Christians.
His funeral is scheduled on Saturday and will attract state and government presidents from around the world, including leaders from Italy, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States and Frances' home country Argentina. Canada has not announced its delegation.
Fabio Ciciliano, head of the Italian Civil Protection Agency, told Corriere Della Sera newspaper that at least 200,000 people are expected to attend the outdoor service.
One conclusion of the choice of the new pope is expected not to begin before May 6, and the current cardinals flock to Rome only because they have decided on the dates after the usually extended discussion.
About 135 cardinals are eligible for a secret meeting that may extend within a few days, and then white smoke gushing out of the chimney of the Sistine Church tells the world that a new pope has been selected.
Meanwhile, during that time in the “Sede Vacante” of the Catholic Church worldwide, Cardinal Farrell was responsible for the daily affairs.
L Massimo Faggioli, professor of history theology at Villanova University who listens to the Francis legacy:
Front burner22:36The legacy of Pope Francis
