Bells rang out as the Pope's coffin was carried across St Peter's Square to lie in state ahead of the funeral on Saturday.

Maria Pia Caruso travelled to Rome from her hometown in northern Italy after she learned Pope Francis had died at age 88, to say a final goodbye to a pontiff she believes brought important changes to the global Catholic Church.

Rome is in mourning as the world says goodbye to Pope Francis, a transformative leader and spiritual guide to more than a billion Catholics. His death marks the end of an era and sets in motion a series of historic religious events that will impact travel to Rome and Vatican City in the coming weeks.