VATICAN CITY -- To the chanting of Christ's promise, "I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live," the mortal remains of Pope Francis were carried into St. Peter's Basilica by 14 pallbearers.
Thousands of people had made an early morning pilgrimage to St. Peter's Square April 23 to witness the transfer and pray for the late pope; they erupted in applause when his body, in an open casket, reached the square and again when it reached the top of the basilica steps.
The basilica was to be open until midnight April 23, from 7 a.m. to midnight April 24 and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 25 for visits by the public. Another rite, to close the casket, was scheduled for late April 25. The pope's funeral was scheduled for April 26 in St. Peter's Square with burial to follow in Rome's Basilica of St. Mary Major.
Pallbearers carry the body of Pope Francis in his casket through St. Peter's Square on their way into St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican April 23, 2025, as the pope's mortal remains are prepared for public viewing and prayer. (CNS photo/Pablo Esparza)
Cardinals walk through St. Peter's Square in a procession on their way into St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican April 23, 2025, as the mortal remains of Pope Francis are prepared for public viewing and prayer. (CNS photo/Pablo Esparza)
Pallbearers carry the body of Pope Francis in an open casket during the procession through St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican April 23, 2025. (CNS photo/Cristian Gennari, pool)
Pallbearers carry the body of Pope Francis in an open casket during the procession through St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican April 23, 2025. (CNS photo/Cristian Gennari, pool)
Pallbearers carry the body of Pope Francis in an open casket into St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican April 23, 2025, following a procession through St. Peter’s Square. (CNS photo/Cristian Gennari, pool)
Pallbearers carry the body of Pope Francis in an open casket into St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican April 23, 2025, following a procession through St. Peter’s Square. (CNS photo/Cristian Gennari, pool)
Pallbearers carry the body of Pope Francis in an open casket into St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican April 23, 2025, following a procession through St. Peter’s Square. (CNS photo/Cristian Gennari, pool)
Pallbearers carry the body of Pope Francis in an open casket into St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican April 23, 2025, following a procession through St. Peter’s Square. (CNS photo/Cristian Gennari, pool)
Pallbearers carry the body of Pope Francis in an open casket into St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican April 23, 2025, following a procession through St. Peter’s Square. (CNS photo/Stefano Carafe, pool)
Pallbearers carry the body of Pope Francis in an open casket into St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican April 23, 2025, following a procession through St. Peter’s Square. (CNS photo/Cristian Gennari, pool)
Cardinals enter in procession before the body of Pope Francis arrives in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican April 23, 2025. The pope, in an open casket, will lie in the basilica for public viewing and prayer for three days before his funeral Mass April 26, 2025. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)
Pallbearers carry the body of Pope Francis in an open casket during the procession into St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican April 23, 2025. The pope will lie in the basilica for public viewing and prayer for three days before his funeral Mass April 26, 2025. (CNS photo/Paolo Galosi, pool)
Pallbearers carry the body of Pope Francis in an open casket during the procession into St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican April 23, 2025. The pope will lie in the basilica for public viewing and prayer for three days before his funeral Mass April 26, 2025. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)
Pallbearers carry the body of Pope Francis in an open casket during the procession into St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican April 23, 2025. The pope will lie in the basilica for public viewing and prayer for three days before his funeral Mass April 26, 2025. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)
Pallbearers carry the body of Pope Francis in an open casket during the procession into St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican April 23, 2025. The pope will lie in the basilica for public viewing and prayer for three days before his funeral Mass April 26, 2025. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)
Pallbearers place the body of Pope Francis, lying in an open casket, before the Altar of the Confession in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican April 23, 2025. The pope will lie in state for public viewing and prayer for three days before his funeral Mass April 26. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)
Pallbearers lower the body of Pope Francis, dressed in red liturgical vestments and lying in an open casket, before the Altar of the Confession in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican April 23, 2025. The pope will lie in state for three days of public veneration prior to his funeral Mass April 26. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)
Cardinals and others stand in prayer before the body of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican April 23, 2025. The pope, in an open casket, will lie for public viewing and prayer for three days before his funeral Mass April 26, 2025. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)
Cardinals and others stand in prayer before the body of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican April 23, 2025. The pope, in an open casket, will lie for public viewing and prayer for three days before his funeral Mass April 26, 2025. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)
Cardinals and others stand in prayer before the body of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican April 23, 2025. The pope, in an open casket, will lie for public viewing and prayer for three days before his funeral Mass April 26, 2025. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)
U.S. Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell, camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, sprinkles holy water over the body of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican April 23, 2025. The pope, in an open casket, will lie in state for public viewing and prayer for three days ahead of his funeral Mass April 26. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)
U.S. Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell, camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, incenses the body of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican April 23, 2025. The pope, in an open casket, will lie in state for public viewing and prayer for three days ahead of his funeral Mass April 26. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)
The body of Pope Francis lies in an open casket in front of the Altar of the Confession in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican April 23, 2025. The pope will lie in state for three days of public viewing and prayer ahead of his funeral Mass April 26. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)
Bishops process past the body of Pope Francis as he lies in state in an open casket in front of the Altar of the Confession in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican April 23, 2025. The pope will lie in state for three days of public viewing and prayer ahead of his funeral Mass April 26. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)
The body of Pope Francis lies in an open casket in front of the Altar of the Confession in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican April 23, 2025. The pope will lie in state for three days of public viewing and prayer ahead of his funeral Mass April 26. (CNS photo/Paolo Galosi, pool)
U.S. Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell, camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, sprinkles holy water over the body of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican April 23, 2025. The pope, in an open casket, will lie in state for public viewing and prayer for three days ahead of his funeral Mass April 26. (CNS photo/Paolo Galosi, pool)
U.S. Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell, camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, incenses the body of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican April 23, 2025. The pope, in an open casket, will lie in state for public viewing and prayer for three days ahead of his funeral Mass April 26. (CNS photo/Paolo Galosi, pool)
Cardinals process past the body of Pope Francis as he lies in state in an open casket in front of the Altar of the Confession in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican April 23, 2025. The pope will lie in state for three days of public viewing and prayer ahead of his funeral Mass April 26. (CNS photo/Paolo Galosi, pool)
A rosary rests in the hands of Pope Francis as he lies in state in an open casket in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican April 23, 2025. The pope will lie in state for three days of public viewing and prayer before his funeral Mass April 26. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)
