Francis did away with that sort of viewing. Instead, a procession brought his coffin on Wednesday directly to St. Peter’s Basilica, where a public viewing is taking place. Francis’ body, dressed in papal vestments, his head covered with a white bishop’s miter, is lying in state to allow tens of thousands of mourners to bid farewell.

The funeral mass for Pope Francis begins at 10:00 local time (09:00 BST) in front of St Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.

Mourners are gathering in Vatican City and lining the streets of Rome to give a final send-off to Pope Francis, who will be remembered as a champion of the poor and for his efforts to reshape the Catholic Church.