Pope Francis’ Body Transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica as Mourners Gather for Final Farewell

Pope Francis’ body was transferred on Wednesday from his Vatican residence to St. Peter’s Basilica, as Catholic cardinals led a ritual steeped in tradition, marking the start of three days of public viewing for the late pontiff. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, temporarily at the helm of Vatican administration, presided over the ceremony in the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta, the hotel that Francis called home.

The atmosphere was somber and deeply ceremonial: a choir sang as cardinals in striking red stood in prayer, while Francis’ casket was borne through the Vatican grounds, accompanied by Swiss Guards and a slow-moving procession of dignitaries. The same piazza where Francis once waved to crowds in his popemobile now saw mourners gathering for a much more final goodbye.

Pallbearers carried his simple wooden coffin through the storied archways and into the heart of St. Peter’s Basilica, trailed by clergy and guards. Crowds of ordinary Catholics, filling St. Peter’s Square, watched the procession with a mix of reverence and grief, underscoring just how much this pope resonated with people around the world.

The basilica will remain open late into the night—midnight on Wednesday and Thursday—to accommodate the flood of mourners. The public will have until Friday evening to pay their respects, after which Francis’ casket will be closed and sealed ahead of Saturday’s funeral in the square. Heads of state, including U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Argentina’s Javier Milei, are set to attend, a testament to Francis’ global influence and the reach of his ministry.

In a break from recent papal tradition, Francis’ casket will rest on the main altar, not on an elevated bier. The choice feels in keeping with his style—simple, direct, and closer to the people.

Behind the scenes, cardinals are already meeting to plan the conclave to select the next pope and make decisions about the Church’s future. Francis’ death on Monday morning, at the age of 88, ended a 12-year papacy defined by both humility and a willingness to challenge the status quo. He died after suffering a stroke and subsequent heart failure, following a period of declining health exacerbated by chronic lung disease.

His final public appearance on Easter Sunday was poignant—delivering a blessing and a final greeting to followers from his popemobile, even as he was still recovering from a lengthy hospital stay. He also managed a meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance that day, showing the pope’s commitment to both faith and diplomacy until the very end.

True to his wishes, Francis will be buried at St. Mary Major basilica outside the Vatican, near his favorite icon of the Virgin Mary—a final resting place that reflects both his devotion and his distinctive papal legacy.