Francis did away with that sort of viewing. Instead, a procession brought his coffin on Wednesday directly to St. Peter’s Basilica, where a public viewing is taking place. Francis’ body, dressed in papal vestments, his head covered with a white bishop’s miter, is lying in state to allow tens of thousands of mourners to bid farewell.

The Vatican kept St Peter’s Basilica open all night so that the thousands of mourners who have flocked to the city are able to pay their respects to the late Pope Francis.