Pope Francis's Body Moved To St Peter's Basilica For Lying In State [PHOTOS]

The pontiff's body, laid out in an open coffin, was moved to the church in a formal procession

The body of Pope Francis has been moved from his Vatican residence to St Peter's Basilica to allow faithfuls pay their respects before his funeral on Saturday.

The Pope's open coffin was carried on Wednesday morning in a solemn procession through St Peter's Square where thousands of worshippers had gathered.

As the coffin crossed the square, bells tolled and crowds broke into rounds of applause - a traditional Italian sign of respect.

Unlike the vast majority of his predecessors, he will not be buried in St Peter's, but in a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary in central Rome, beneath a tombstone inscribed only with his name

The Pope died on Monday aged 88 following a stroke and a battle with double pneumonia, which he spent five weeks in hospital earlier this year. The first Latin American leader of the Catholic Church, he had held the role for 12 years.

Swiss Guards, who are responsible for the Pope's safety, escorted his coffin to the church's altar.

The pontiff's body, laid out in an open coffin, was moved to the church in a formal procession.

Pope Francis left clear instructions that he wanted a smaller ceremony in keeping with his simpler tastes as pontiff. He had arranged for a benefactor to pay for it all.

Before being moved to St Peter's, Pope Francis had been lying in an open coffin in the chapel of his home, flanked by Swiss Guards and cardinals in prayer.

His last public appearance was on Easter Sunday, where from a wheelchair, he delivered brief remarks to the masses gathered in St Peter's Square. He then greeted worshippers and blessed babies as he was driven in a car through the crowds.

His Papal apartments have been sealed with wax - marking the start of the period known as the Sede Vacante - or empty seat – which continues until a new head of the church is elected.

The Pope died on Monday aged 88 following a stroke and a battle with double pneumonia, for which he spent five weeks in hospital earlier this year. The first Latin American leader of the Catholic Church, he had held the role for 12 years.