Pope Francis’s coffin carried to Saint Peter’s Basilica

In recent years he has not had such a close relationship with Argentina,

said Argentine Sofia Solari

This pope has been really important,

said Caruso, speaking with her husband, Roberto Vallone

This is the first time I have come to pay my respects to a pope,

said Maria Russo, an Italian volunteer at Rome's Bambino Gesu children's hospital

Our plans have changed, and we feel that it's a God (plan) that we're here,

she said, saying

It's been a difficult time for followers of the Catholic Church seeing Pope Francis be so unwell over these past few months,

Sky News correspondent Lisa Holland said

A service is ongoing” inside the basilica

reports Al Jazeera’s Jonah Hull from Vatican City