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.

Pope Francis' funeral at St. Peter’s Square is drawing tens of thousands of mourners and a roster of global leaders, marking a historic farewell to the 88-year-old leader who reshaped the Catholic Church.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced the pope’s death in a statement shared by the Vatican. He said, “At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with faithfulness, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and the marginalized.”