The beginning of the procession for the transfer of the remains of Pope Francis from the papal residence "Santa Marta" in the Vatican to the Basilica "St. Peter" was given at 8:00 a.m. Bulgarian time (7:00 a.m. local), world agencies reported, BTA reports.
The body of the late pope will be taken out for public veneration at 9:00 a.m. local time (10:00 a.m. Bulgarian time) in the Basilica "St. Peter", the Vatican said in a statement. The basilica will remain open until midnight on the days of the pilgrimage, which is expected to draw tens of thousands of people.
Pope Francis' funeral will take place on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. local time (11:00 a.m. Bulgarian time) and is expected to be attended by a number of world leaders.
The route of the procession with the mortal remains of Pope Francis passes through Piazza Santa Marta and Piazza del Popolo, under the Arch of the Bells and out into Piazza St. Peter's. in the Vatican.
So far, only cardinals, members of the Curia and Vatican officials have had the opportunity to say goodbye to the deceased pontiff in the chapel of the "Santa Marta" residence, where the pope lived.
The 88-year-old Francis, whose birth name is Jorge Mario Bergoglio, had been ill frequently in recent years. On Holy Monday, it was announced that he had died of a stroke and heart failure.
Unlike most pontiffs, Francis' mortal remains will not be laid to rest in the crypt of "St. Peter's Basilica" - the most important church in Roman Catholicism, as he himself wished his body to rest in the basilica of "Santa Maria Maggiore" in the center of Rome.