Throngs of mourners are lining St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican to pay their final respects to Pope Francis, whose body is lying in state.

The body of Pope Francis has been moved from his Vatican residence to St Peter's Basilica to allow the faithful to pay their respects before his funeral on Saturday. The Pope's open coffin was carried by clergy on Wednesday morning in a solemn procession through St Peter's Square where thousands of worshippers had gathered.

Catholic cardinals performed the ritual ceremony on Wednesday to transfer Pope Francis’ body to St. Peter’s Basilica for three days of public viewing.