Pope Francis' coffin arrived at St Peter's Basilica ahead of his funeral over the weekend.
The late pope's open wooden coffin was carried by palisaders 500 metres from the Santa Marta house where he lived and died, AFP reported.
Pope Francis' open coffin began the procession to St Peter's Basilica, accompanied by dozens of red-robed cardinals and Swiss Guards.
To the ringing of St. Peter's bells, the coffin emerged from the Santa Maria House, the modest residence where Pope Francis lived and died, on the shoulders of pallbearers and was carried slowly to the basilica.
Eight Swiss Guards carrying staffs walked beside the open wooden coffin as it passed through St Peter's Square, which was filled with tens of thousands of spectators.
Priests made up the long procession, some with candles in their hands, and groups of nuns walked behind them.
The Argentine pontiff died on April 21 at the age of 88 after suffering a stroke, coma and heart failure.
His funeral is scheduled for Saturday, April 26, and is expected to draw huge crowds and leaders from around the world. | BGNES