The bells of St. Peter’s are tolling as the body of Pope Francis is transferred from the Vatican hotel where he lived to the basilica.Pallbearers carried the simple wooden coffin on their shoulders through the Vatican’s archway gates into the basilica,

The rite began in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta and ended with the Holy Father’s body before the Altar of Confession in the soaring basilica at the center of Christendom.

St. Peter's Basilica reopened its doors on Thursday, after a brief pause in the early hours of the day, to welcome thousands of worshippers from around the world who want to pay their final respects to Pope Francis.