Pope Francis' Body Buried In St. Peter's Basilica

Pope Francis' body in St. Peter's Basilica. (Source: Vatican Media)

JAKARTA - Pope Francis' body, laid in an open coffin, was carried in a solemn procession from his residence inside the Vatican City wall to St. Peter's Basilica on Wednesday for burial.

The red-top cardinals, bishops, candles-carrying monks, and Swiss Guards walked slowly into the widely brightened square of the sun in front of the basilica, as the choir sang their hearts and prayers in Latin while the bells rolled slowly.

The body of the 88-year-old whale, who died two days ago in his room in Casa Santa Marta after suffering a stroke, was lifted tall on a wooden stage by 14 white-handed carryers and black-coated.

"Dear brothers and sisters, with deep sadness we are now accompanying Pope Francis' body to the Vatican Basilica," said Roman Catholic Church Camerlengo Cardinal Kevin Farrell at the start of the ceremony.

As the coffin passed through St. Peter's Square, a crowd of thousands of people applauded repeatedly, a sign of Italy's traditional respect for such an event.

Pope Francis, who spent five weeks in hospital earlier this year due to double pneumonia, last appeared in public on Sunday, as he surprised pilgrims by being escorted around crowded fields in white whale cars and open roofs.

His body will be buried in St. Peter's Basilica until Friday night, so that believers can pay their final respects.

"He is like a family member. Someone who is very close to us, someone who makes the church very accessible to everyone and inclusive to everyone," said Rachel McKay, a British pilgrim on the pitch.

Vatican officials rushed on Wednesday to help protesters carry coffins onto the slopes of the stone, before the procession passed through the giant bronze gate of St. Peter's Basilica and into the interior of the vast and decorated church.

Pope Francis' funeral ceremony is planned to be held on Saturday. Heads of state and government from around the world will attend, including US President Donald Trump. Leaders from Italy, France, Germany, Britain, Ukraine, EU agencies, to Pope Francis' country, Argentina, have also confirmed their presence.

From the country, Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono in a statement to reporters in Jakarta said President Prabowo Subianto would send a special envoy to attend Pope Francis' funeral.

Foreign Minister Sugiono said former President Joko Widodo, Deputy Minister of Finance Thomas Djiwandono and Ignasius Jonan were included in the list of candidates for special envoys.

Meanwhile, Italy's head civil protection agency Fabio Ciciliano told the Corriere della Sera newspaper that at least 200,000 people were expected to attend the outdoor funeral.

On the other hand, the Conclave to choose a new Pope is not expected to start before May 6.

There are no clear candidates for Pope Francis' successor, although Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, a reformist from the Philippines, and Cardinal Pietro Parolin from Italy who is also the Vatican Foreign Minister are said to be on the list of the next Pope's strong candidates.

Meanwhile, in a period known as a "sede variant" for the world Catholic Church, Cardinal Farrell is responsible for daily affairs.