Procession brings Pope Francis to St. Peter’s Basilica ahead of Vatican funeral

As day broke in Vatican City on Wednesday, thousands of mourners and worshippers gathered to watch the body and the open coffin of Pope Francis be moved from the more modest Chapel of Santa Marta to the grand halls of St. Peter’s Basilica.

There, the body of the late pontiff will lie in state for the next three days before his official funeral Saturday. During that time, the pinstriped Swiss Guards will stand guard as the public files through the holy place to they pay their respects.

According to Vatican officials Wednesday, more than 20,000 mourners had already gathered in the early morning sun in St. Peter’s Square outside the basilica where they watched the procession of cardinals leading the body of the pope, held aloft by pallbearers, to his next destination.