Long lines of pilgrims queued to enter St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican on Wednesday (April 23) where the body of Pope Francis was displayed, Reuters reports.
Catholics - already expected in Rome in large numbers for the Easter holiday and the ongoing Catholic Holy Year - will be allowed to pay their final respects to the pope through Friday evening.
The funeral, which will bring U.S. President Donald Trump and other world leaders to Rome, will take place on Saturday morning (April 26). Italian authorities expect some 200,000 people to attend.
The moving of the pope's body occurred under a hot spring sun in Rome.
Crowds were watching from the large esplanade in St. Peter's Square in front of the basilica, while bells gently tolled and a male choir sang chants.
