Pope Francis dies, mourners line up to pay respects

The late pontiff's coffin is now resting inside St Peter's Basilica - in front of the Papal Altar - and will remain there until his funeral. Long queues of people moved through the square outside, and through the halls of the basilica, waiting patiently to catch a glimpse of the Pope lying in state.

Pope Francis was the first Latin American leader of the Catholic Church and held the role for 12 years. Red-robed cardinals and white-clad priests escorted the Pope's coffin from his residence to the basilica on Wednesday.

Pope Francis, first Latin American pontiff, dies at 88.

Francis, who was from Argentina and was the first non-European pope in 1,300 years, had an often turbulent 12-year reign in which he repeatedly clashed with Church traditionalists and championed the poor and marginalised.