Latin chants resounded and bells tolled as Pope Francis’ coffin was carried in a procession on Wednesday from the Vatican to St. Peter’s Square, where crowds waited under the warm Roman sun to say a goodbye to the pontiff.
The long procession of red-hatted cardinals, bishops in violet capes and Swiss Guards in striped uniforms moved through a clapping crowd before entering the basilica with the coffin of Francis, who died on Monday morning at 88.
The casket was carried across the central aisle then placed in front of Bernini’s giant bronze canopy as a choir chanted the names of Roman Catholic saints.
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