Mourning Pope Francis: Tens of thousands pay their respects to 'wonderful Pope'

Over 90,000 people had filed past the remains of Pope Francis by 7pm this evening. The late pontiff's body is laying in state inside St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. Picture: Antonio Masiello/Getty 

Mourners stood in line for hours on Thursday to pay their final respects to Pope Francis, whose body is lying in state in St Peter’s Basilica ahead of his funeral on Saturday.

Huge queues snaked around St Peter’s Square and the surrounding roads, before being funnelled through the heart of the basilica in a single column leading to the central altar, where Francis’ open-topped coffin is placed on a dais.