The Vatican opened its doors to thousands of grieving Catholics on Wednesday as the coffin of Pope Francis was brought to St Peter’s Basilica for three days of public viewing ahead of his funeral on Saturday.

The body of the Argentine pontiff, who passed away on Monday at the age of 88, was moved in a solemn procession from Casa Santa Marta — his residence — to the grand basilica, surrounded by Swiss Guards and dozens of cardinals. The scene was marked by sombre chants and clouds of incense as the faithful lined up to pay their respects to a pope widely admired for his humility, advocacy for the poor, and unwavering calls for peace.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, currently overseeing Vatican affairs until a new pope is elected, led the procession, with the traditional Litany of the Saints echoing through the vast interior of the 16th-century basilica. In a departure from previous papal funerals, Pope Francis’s coffin has been placed directly on the basilica’s main altar, rather than being raised on a bier, symbolising his preference for simplicity and closeness to the people.

Crowds began assembling early in the morning at St Peter’s Square, where Vatican authorities have implemented heightened security measures, including mounted patrols and foot surveillance, in anticipation of large numbers of mourners. The basilica will remain open until midnight on Wednesday and Thursday, with the public viewing concluding on Friday evening.

Visitors from across the globe gathered to honour the pontiff’s legacy. “For me, Pope Francis represents a great pastor, as well as a great friend to all of us,” said Micale Sales, who travelled from Brazil. Amit Kukreja, a pilgrim from Australia, remarked, “I think he spread a positive message around the world, saying there shouldn’t be any violence, there should be peace.”

The funeral service is scheduled for Saturday at 10am local time (8:00 GMT) in St Peter’s Square and will be attended by world leaders, including US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The Holy Year celebrations, which Pope Francis inaugurated in December, continue amidst the mourning. Pilgrims walking through the Holy Door of St Peter’s Basilica are being granted indulgences — part of Catholic tradition to reduce the temporal punishment of sins.

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, made history in 2013 as the first Latin American and Jesuit pope. During his papacy, he endeared himself to millions with his emphasis on mercy, environmental protection, and inclusivity, while also drawing criticism from conservative circles over his progressive stance on socio-economic issues.

He made his final public appearance on Sunday, delivering an Easter blessing and greeting the faithful during a ride through St Peter’s Square — a gesture Vatican sources say he initially hesitated to undertake due to his health but later expressed gratitude for.

“The death of a pope is not a small thing, because we’ve lost our leader,” said Julio Henrique, a visitor from Brazil. “But still, in a few days, we will have a new leader. So, the thing of hope remains. Who will assume Peter’s throne?”