Pope Francis Body to Be Transferred to St. Peter Basilica Tomorrow

On Tuesday, the Vatican confirmed that the body of Pope Francis will be transferred tomorrow, Wednesday, to St. Peter's Basilica. 

The funeral ceremony is scheduled to take place next Saturday.

The Pope’s body will lie in state for three days to allow people to pay their final respects.

The Pope’s coffin will be moved from the Santa Marta residence, where he had been staying, to St. Peter's Basilica. 

Vatican shares images of Pope Francis lying in an open casket. pic.twitter.com/aA1YoQsK8D

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The funeral procession will take place on Saturday in St. Peter’s Square. 

Afterwards, the coffin will be transferred to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore for burial.

In the first photos of the coffin released by the Vatican, the Pope is seen lying in an open wooden coffin, without a casket, at the Santa Marta chapel. 

He is dressed in the papal crown, white robe, red chasuble, and white pallium, while holding a rosary in his hands.

King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, accompanied by Queen Sofia, will visit the Papal Embassy in Spain this morning to sign the book of condolences organized by the Vatican Embassy.