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 opted to extend the visiting hours at St. Peter's Basilica on the evening of Wednesday, April 23, as thousands of mourners visited to pay their respects to Pope Francis who died on Monday,