Why Pope Francis’ body is put on display after his death

Mourners are filing past Pope Francis’ body which is now lying in state for public viewing as part of a series of rituals dating back more than 2,000 years.

On Easter Monday (21 April), the 267th Pope of the Catholic Church died at the age of 88.

A pope’s death is followed by a period of mourning lasting nine days, called novemdiales. The rituals are compiled in a tome called the “Ordo exsequiarum Romani pontificis”.

It contains more than 400 pages, including the liturgy, music and prayer used for papal funerals over centuries. The Ordo consists of the rituals that will be followed from the death of a pope, to the moment a pope is buried.

Pope Francis is expected to be buried at the ancient Basilica of St. Mary Major, which is just outside the walls of the Vatican, and the funeral is due to take place on Saturday, 26 April, 2025 at 10am local time (9am BST) in St. Peter’s Square.

Pope Francis died at the age of 88 on Easter Monday (Vatican Pool / Contributor / Getty Images)

He will be the first pope in more than a century not to be buried in the crypt of St Peter’s Basilica, in Vatican City, which is in accordance with his wishes.

But before the funeral takes place, members of the public will have the opportunity to pay their respects to the pope as his body was moved to St. Peter's Basilica on Wednesday morning as part of a procession.

The first mourners are now filing past the coffin to pay their respects.

The open casket has been placed in front of the Papal Altar during the three days of public mourning before the funeral.

The late pope's body is now lying in state in St. Peter's Basilica (Antonio Masiello/Getty Images)

Leaders from around the world are expected to attend Pope Francis’ funeral on Saturday.

The death of Pope Francis came just one day after he greeted those who gathered to see him at St Peter's Square on Easter Sunday, with him reading from the balcony overlooking the square.

The pope, who had suffered multiple health issues in recent years, had reduced mobility in the last few months of his life.

In a statement announcing his death on the morning of Easter Monday, Cardinal Kevin Ferrell of the Vatican said: "At 7.35 this morning, the bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his church."

Pope Francis passed away on Monday (Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)

The late pope, who was elected at the age of 76 in 2013 to succeed Pope Benedict XVI, was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on 17 December, 1936 in Argentina.

Before his passing, the pope thanked people across the world for their support in a statement made via the Vatican, saying: "I feel all your affection and closeness and, at this particular time, I feel as if I am ‘carried’ and supported by all God’s people. Thank you all."

He spent much of February at the Gemelli hospital in Rome after suffering with pneumonia in both of his lungs and later struggling with acute respiratory failure.