Following his unexpected death, Pope Francis’s body will lie in state at St. Peter’s Basilica beginning Wednesday morning, with his funeral scheduled for Saturday in St. Peter’s Square

[dropcap]P[/dropcap]ublic viewing for Pope Francis, who passed away unexpectedly on Monday at the age of 88 following a stroke and cardiac arrest, will commence in St. Peter’s Basilica as early as Wednesday morning.

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The funeral service is scheduled to take place on Saturday at 10 a.m. local time in St. Peter’s Square.

Pope Francis, recognized for his often-contentious relationships with traditionalists within the Catholic Church, has also chosen to deviate from certain long-standing burial customs.

He has elected to be entombed in a simple wooden casket within the St. Mary Major basilica, located just outside the Vatican walls.

This decision reflects the pope’s well-known preference for simplicity and his desire to connect with the broader community beyond the Vatican’s confines.

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The upcoming public viewing and funeral are expected to draw large crowds of mourners from around the world, paying their respects to the late pontiff.