The transfer of the coffin of Pope Francis to the Saint-Pierre Basilica began at 9 a.m., the local time today, on April 23, after a prayer ceremony in the chapel of Casa Santa Marta.
The doors of the Saint-Pierre basilica opened at 11 a.m. local time (5 a.m.) for the public, allowing more than 20,000 faithful gathered on Saint-Pierre square to pay tribute to Pope Francis on Wednesday.
The coffin of the deceased pontiff rests in front of the altar on a modest wooden platform, placed almost at ground level.
The pilgrims stop to pray for a few moments before moving on, in a solemn procession which will continue until the Basilica Basilica at the St. Mary Major Basilica after the Saturday funeral mass, which will be celebrated by the Secretary of State of the Vatican Pietro Partro Paroline.
The body of Pope Francis is now in the Saint-Pierre basilica. The solemn transfer of the Casa Santa Marta coffin took place on Saint-Pierre square. pic.twitter.com/efixbfl3wf
– Ewtn Vatican (@Ewtnvaticican) April 23, 2025
The Vatican “Sediari” – the same carriers who, in the past centuries, carried the Papal Papal Papal – transported the coffin to their shoulders on the Place Saint -Pierre, accompanied by cardinals currently present in Rome.
From Casa Santa Marta to the Vatican Basilica, the procession was marked by visible emotions among the spectators. Some could not retain tears when they followed in the respectful silence the last trip of the “Pope of the outskirts”.
Friday at 8 p.m. local time, Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, in his role as Camerlengo of the Roman Holy Church, will chair the rite of the closure of the Roman Pontiff Coffil François.
