Farewell to a Pontiff: Pope Francis’ Body to Lie in State at St. Peter’s Basilica Ahead of Burial

Pope Francis’ body will be brought in a solemn procession from his residence at Saint Martha’s House in the Vatican to St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday morning, offering the faithful a final opportunity to pay their respects to the late head of the Catholic Church.

The public viewing is expected to draw tens of thousands of mourners ahead of the Pope’s funeral and burial scheduled for Saturday. Dignitaries and world leaders are anticipated to be in attendance for the historic occasion.

Until now, only cardinals, members of the Roman Curia, and Vatican staff have had the chance to say goodbye to the pontiff at Saint Martha’s House.

Francis, who passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88, had been battling a prolonged illness before succumbing to a stroke and heart failure.

In a departure from tradition, Pope Francis will not be interred in St. Peter’s Basilica, the symbolic heart of Roman Catholicism. Instead, honoring his own wishes, he will be laid to rest at the smaller Basilica of Saint Mary Major, located near Rome’s main train station.