Pope Francis latest: More than 20,000 queue to see pontiff in open casket

How the weather looks over next three days as thousands queue outside to see Pope's casket

There's quite a good chance the Vatican will be dry until Friday, with top temperatures of around 21C each day.

This falls to around 10C in the early morning.

There will be some heavy and potentially thundery showers in the vicinity by day, however.

So there remains the possibility of a soaking - probably less than a 20% chance.

Prayers and tears as Pope Francis carried to St Peter's Basilica

We've been bringing you images from this morning's procession throughout today.

Thousands have flocked to the Vatican to witness the Pope's casket being transferred to St Peter's Basilica, with many now queueing up for a public viewing.

Why Francis rejected traditional papal palace

We caught up with Father Robert Serico in Rome a short while ago.

The co-founder of the religion and liberty thinktank Acton Institute told our chief presenter Anna Botting why he thinks the Pope chose to stay in the Santa Marta, rather than the pontiff's traditional home in the Apostolic Palace.

"He didn't choose not to live in the Apostolic Palace because of its grandeur," he said.

"It's really, if you've been in it, it's lovely, obviously, but it's not a palace.

"And Santa Marta is not a boarding house, it's a nice hotel. He wanted to be close to people. That's the reason he lived there.

"So, I don't think he wanted to send a message that all previous popes were living in elegance, or any future popes who may choose to stay at the Apostolic Palace."

And commenting on the Pope's casket - which is placed on the floor in St Peter's Basilica rather than on a raised level - he gave one "obvious" reason.

"Humility - that's one of the main themes of this pontificate, to be a humble servant of God," he added.

Israeli embassies 'ordered not to lower flags' for Pope

Our Middle East correspondent Alistair Bunkall has approached the Israeli embassy in London as well as the foreign ministry, but we're yet to receive a response after the Israeli government shared and then deleted a post offering condolences for the Pope's death - see our 10.48 post.

There are even reports that Israeli embassies have been told not to lower flags to half-mast

The Jerusalem Post, an Israeli newspaper, linked the move to the pontiff's criticism of the war in Gaza.

The Israeli outlet quoted officials at the foreign ministry as saying that the Pope had made "statements against Israel" and that the social media post had been published in "error".

 Pope's casket moved into position for public viewing

The Pope's casket is now in St Peter's Basilica for three days of public viewing.

Thousands of people have turned out to wait in line, with many arriving earlier this morning to witness the procession taking the pontiff's casket.

Here's a look at some of the images captured - and newly released - from this morning.

Vatican releases list of cardinals involved in burial

The Vatican has confirmed the cardinals who will be part of the Pope's burial during the funeral on Saturday.

We already knew Italian cardinal Giovanni Battista Re would be giving a sermon.

Now we know others involved will be close Francis ally Pietro Parolin, who is considered by some to be among the more likely options to be the next pontiff.

No British cardinals are on the list, but Roger Mahoney from the US is included.

For more on which cardinal could replace the pontiff - and the chances of him being a Brit - click on the links below.

Who will be at the Pope's funeral - and who won't be

The Pope's funeral will take place on Saturday at St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican - see the post below for more on the plans.

A pope's funeral traditionally brings world leaders together, and some have already revealed they are attending.

In this article, we take a look at the list so far.

Cardinal misses out on conclave after turning 80 two days before the Pope's death

George Alencherry, a cardinal from India, won't be part of the process to pick the next pope.

That's because he turned 80 on 19 April - just two days before the Pope died.

And according to the Vatican's rules, no cardinal over the age of 80 can take part in the conclave (the process that chooses the next pontiff).

He voted for Pope Francis in 2013, but he told the Times of India he "wasn't thinking of attending another conclave anyway".

Cardinals are senior figures in the Catholic clergy and are appointed by the Pope. Collectively, there are 252 worldwide, forming the College of Cardinals, which is responsible for the affairs of the Vatican between popes.

Of this group, 135 are known as cardinal electors, and they're the ones who gather to choose a new pope.

With Alencherry now ineligible, the Vatican's list shows there are currently 134 electors.

The conclave is expected to begin from 5 May, though the exact date will be decided after the Pope's funeral.

Israel shares - then deletes - condolences over Pope's death

Away from the Vatican, where we've been following events closely this morning, the Israeli government has shared and then deleted a social media post offering condolences over the death of Pope Francis.

No reason was given, but The Jerusalem Post, an Israeli newspaper, linked it to the pontiff's criticism of the war in Gaza.

Before its removal, the post read: "Rest in Peace, Pope Francis. May his memory be a blessing", alongside an image of the pope visiting the Western Wall in Jerusalem.

The Israeli outlet quoted officials at the foreign ministry as saying that the pope had made "statements against Israel" and that the social media post had been published in "error".

Pope's casket to be closed in Friday night ceremony

The Vatican has released a more detail now on its plans over the coming days.

The Pope's casket - currently lying in state at St Peter's Basilica for a three-day public viewing - will be closed at 7pm UK time on Friday.

There will be a ceremony for the closure, and it will likely be broadcast by the Vatican.

Around 20,000 filling St Peter's Square

Our team in Rome has just given us a little information from the Vatican.

There are 20,000 people crowding St Peter's Square at the moment, according to estimations.

Around 80 cardinals have arrived in the Italian capital, although it is unclear how many of them are electors (those who will have a say on who the next pontiff will be).

And to give you a sense of the global attention, ⁠2,000 journalists have applied for accreditation - which gives them access to events at the Vatican. 

An extra press room is being set up to accommodate the media.

First mourners file in to see the Pope lying in state

We're seeing the first mourners file into St Peter's Basilica to pay respects to Pope Francis - you can also watch live in the stream at the top of the page.

This is the first of three days for public viewing, with the pontiff's funeral taking place on Saturday.

The basilica is open until midnight and tomorrow mourners can enter from 7am and again have until midnight to see the Pope's body. 

On Friday, entry is from 7am, but it will close to the public at the earlier time of 7pm.

All given times are local.

-SKY NEWS