The world prepares to say goodbye to Pope Francis as funeral ceremonies commence at the Vatican. St. Peter’s Square has transformed into a sea of mourners. Representatives from over 180 countries, including Indian President Droupadi Murmu, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, are attending the funeral service.

The solemn ceremonies are being led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista, the head of the College of Cardinals. Tens of thousands have gathered for the public viewing at St. Peter’s Basilica to pay their final respects to the beloved Pope.

The Pope himself had revised the protocols for posthumous rites and ceremonies just last November. Moving away from the tradition of burying Popes in three nested coffins made from cypress, oak, and elm wood, Pope Francis had humbly requested that a simple wooden coffin would suffice.