LIVE: Pope Francis lies in state in St Peter’s Basilica | 9 News Australia

Pope Francis lies in state in St Peter’s Basilica ahead of his funeral on Saturday. The public viewing begins on Wednesday morning, after his casket is taken by procession from the Santa Marta Residence where he lived to St. Peter’s. The procession starts at 0700GMT and is presided over by the camerlengo, the interim administrator of the Vatican, Cardinal Kevin Farrell.who died on Monday at the age of 88. Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope in history, has died at the age of 88, the Vatican has announced. "At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church,″ Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo, announced. Francis, who suffered from chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man, was admitted to Gemelli hospital on February 14, 2025, for a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia. He spent 38 days there, the longest hospitalization of his 12-year papacy. His precarious health had prompted a wave of prayers and well-wishes from Catholics around the world. The Church will now enter a nine-day mourning period before a new pontiff is chosen by the College of Cardinals in a secretive election in the Sistine Chapel known as a conclave. Join 9News for the latest in news and events that affect you in your local city, as well as news from across Australia and the world. Follow 9News on Facebook:   / 9news   Follow 9News on Twitter:   / 9newsaus   Follow 9News on Instagram:   / 9news   #9News #BreakingNews #NineNewsAustralia #9NewsAUS