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The procession commences with the body of Pope Francis being transported from the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta residence on Wednesday morning (local time), where he resided during his time as Pope.
The route will go through Piazza Santa Marta and Piazza dei Protomartiri Romani, leading through the Arch of the Bells and into St Peter’s Square, before entering St Peter’s Basilica through the main entrance.
Upon reaching St Peter’s Basilica, the Camerlengo will conduct a service, known as the Liturgy of the Word, which will give attendees the opportunity to honor and pay their respects to the late Pope.
The faithful will recite several religious verses, including psalm 22, ‘The Lord is my Shepherd,’ during the service.
Attendees will also recite the litany of the saints and the Catholic customary prayers of the dead during the liturgy.
Crowds gather for procession of Pope’s body
The service is expected to finish with the Marian Antiphon, a prayer to Jesus’s mother Mary.
At the conclusion of the service, the public will be able to pay their respects to the pope, whose body will lie in state at St Peter’s Basilica for three days.
For those who wish to visit the pope and pay their respects, the basilica will be open on Wednesday until midnight, on Thursday from 7am to midnight local time, and Friday from 7am to 7pm local time.
