Inside elaborate farewell before Pope Francis’ funeral today

Pope Francis is the sixth pope to lie in state in front of the main altar of St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, which was finished in 1612 after more than a century of construction. Lying in state provides an opportunity to pay respects to the distinguished dead. The first pope to lie in state in front of the basilica’s main altar was Pope Pius XII, who died in 1958. Tens of thousands of people are expected to pass through the basilica this week, you can see them gathering in this picture.

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Pope Francis’ body is sitting under the great dome of St Peter’s Basilica. The great dome was designed and started by Michelangelo and completed after his death by Giacomo della Porta in 1590. Viewed from floor level, the inside of the dome is visually stunning, an intricately patterned golden structure culminating in the lanternino: a windowed apex that diffuses natural light into the church.