Cardinals, bishops, and Vatican officials walk alongside Pope Francis’ coffin in St. Peter’s Square on April 23, 2025, during the solemn transfer as Swiss Guards stand in formal formation. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA
Vatican City, Apr 23, 2025 / 06:06 am (CNA).
PopeFrancis’coffinwascarriedWednesdaymorninginsolemnprocessiontoSt.Peter’sBasilica,wherethelatepontiffwilllieinstateforthreedaysformournerstopaytheirfinalrespectsandsaygoodbye.
TheritebeganinthechapeloftheCasaSantaMarta,whereFrancislivedforthe12yearsofhispontificateandwherehewasplacedinasimple,zinc-linedcoffinonApril21,hoursafterhediedattheageof88.
SwissGuardsaccompanythepallbearerswiththewoodencoffinofPopeFrancisinSt.Peter’sSquareonApril23,2025,duringthetranslatio—thesolemntransferofthepope’sbodyforpublicviewingaheadofSaturday’sfuneralMass.Credit:DanielIbáñez/CNAMembersofthelayconfraternityofchair-bearers,called“sediaripontifici,”carriedPopeFrancis’coffin—ledinprocessionbypriests,bishops,andcardinals—throughVaticanCityandtoSt.P
