Pope Francis’s body has now moved inside St Peter’s Basilica where he will be laying in state until his funeral on Saturday at 10 am local time (9 am Ireland & UK time).
Tens of thousands of Catholics are expected to file into St Peter’s to pay there respects to the Holy Father as he lies in state in a simple wooden coffin over the next three days.
The Basilica will be open at the following times:
Wednesday 23 April – from 11:00 to 24:00 local time
Thursday 24 April – from 07:00 to 24:00 local time
Friday 25 April – from 07:00 to 19:00 local time
The Pope’s coffin was transported to St Peter’s from Casa Santa Marta, where he died aged 88 on Easter Monday at 7.35 am.
His death shocked the world as just hours earlier he appeared for the Easter Sunday service much to the delight of his gathered flock in St Peter’s Square.
Following his funeral on Saturday, there will be a period of mourning before the Conclave of Cardinals meet in secret to elect the 267th Pope in the history of the Church.
Any Cardinal under the age of 80 can vote for the next Pope and the could consist of between 120-135 cardinals.
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