Pope Francis: Mourners file through St Peter’s Basilica overnight as lying-in-state set to end

The basilica remained open overnight on Thursday to allow as many people to pay their respects as possible

Flowers are placed in front of a picture of Pope Francis at Westminster Cathedral in central London. Picture: James Manning/PA

Thousands of mourners again waited through the night for a chance to see Pope Francis’s remains before the lying-in-state ends on Friday evening.

It comes as a British cardinal predicted the funeral will be a “masterpiece” in stage managing “big egos” as world leaders fly in to pay their respects.