"He was a pope among the people, with an open heart towards everyone."
On a sunny spring day in front of St Peter's Basilica, the mighty and the meek alike bowed their heads to bid farewell to Pope Francis.
The breaker of traditions strayed from the orthodox even in death, forgoing many expensive rituals in pursuit of his dream: "a poor church for the poor".
Here's how the funeral of Pope Francis unfolded...
Some 250,000 faithful gathered in the Vatican and along the streets of Rome to prepare to bid farewell to Pope Francis.
In St Peter's Square, the sprawling plaza in front of the great basilica bearing the name of the first pope, mourners sat in neat rows in the morning sun.
Inside, senior figures including President Donald Trump and Prince William were allowed to pay personal respects to the pontiff.
Prince William and Sir Keir Starmer pay their respects
Prince William and Sir Keir Starmer pay their respects
Around 9am UK time, pallbearers carrying Pope Francis's coffin emerged from the basilica, setting him down in front of the 50,000 people in the square.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who was presiding over the funeral service, then addressed the crowds for the first time.
He began by performing the Penitential Act - a way for the faithful to confess their sinfulness.
"I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do, through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault; therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-virgin, all the angels and saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God."
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Clergy watch the service. Pic: AP
Clergy watch the service. Pic: AP
A view from above. Pic: Reuters
A view from above. Pic: Reuters
By Michael Drummond, foreign news reporter
A figure in red beside the golden brown of Pope Francis's simple coffin, Cardinal Re then delivered the homily.
The 91-year-old spoke with strength about the pontiff's life and service to God, taking the crowd through many of the things the late Pope held most dear.
Members of the clergy share the Sign of Peace. Pic: Reuters
Members of the clergy share the Sign of Peace. Pic: Reuters
He praised Francis as someone who "touched the minds and hearts of people" who was "attentive to the signs of the times" - a reference to his reputation as a reformer.
"Despite his frailty and suffering towards the end, Pope Francis chose to follow this path of self-giving until the last day of his earthly life."
The coffin of Pope Francis lies on the ground. Pic: AP
The coffin of Pope Francis lies on the ground. Pic: AP
He also repeated one of Francis's strongest criticisms of President Trump - who was in the audience - with a call to "build bridges not walls".
As the ceremony drew to a close, Cardinal Re blessed the Pope's coffin with holy water.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re blessed the coffin. Pic: Reuters
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re blessed the coffin. Pic: Reuters
At the end of the mass, the choir sang in Latin: "May the angels lead you into paradise; may the martyrs come and welcome you and take you into the holy city, the new and eternal Jerusalem."
Then, once more borne aloft by pallbearers, the coffin carrying the late Pope was taken back into St Peter's Basilica through the 'doors of death'.
Amid the still, respectful atmosphere, a 10-ton bell tolled out to mark the life of Pope Francis.
The coffin, carried through St Peter's Basilica, was then transferred to the white popemobile ready for Francis's final journey.
As the procession made its way through the streets of Rome, thousands of people on either side of the road cheered and applauded, a touching farewell sendoff in the afternoon sun.
Scroll through our map to see how Pope Francis's body was carried from the Vatican through the centre of Rome.
The procession began at St Peter's Basilica, crossing the River Tiber and heading south
People sit in rows in front of the basilica. Pic: Christoph Sator/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images
People pay respects as Pope Francis lies in state
It came down and passed Piazza Venezia in the heart of Rome's historical centre
The Piazza Venezia along the route. Pic: Reuters
The Piazza Venezia along the route. Pic: Reuters
The procession continued past the Colosseum. The route was planned so that the Pope's final journey passes by Rome's landmarks
Crowds outside the Colosseum. Pic: AP
Branislav Bubanja/iStock
Finally, the procession arrived at the Santa Maria Maggiore, Pope Francis's favourite church and where he was to be buried.
Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. Pic: Reuters
Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. Pic: Reuters
Though the square of St Peter was filled with kings, politicians and the highest figures in the Catholic Church, it was prisoners and migrants who ushered Pope Francis to his final resting place.
His journey almost complete, the pontiff's coffin was lifted down from the popemobile and carried into the Santa Maria Maggiore.
Nuns at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. Pic: AP
Nuns at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. Pic: AP
Several dozen migrants, prisoners and homeless people held white roses outside the basilica, a last reflection of his priorities as Pope.
The coffin of Pope Francis is carried into the Santa Maria Maggiore. Pic: AP
The coffin of Pope Francis is carried into the Santa Maria Maggiore. Pic: AP
Four children deposited the roses at the foot of the altar before the burial ceremony began.
A banner reads 'thank you, Francis' near the Santa Maria Maggiore. Pic: AP
A banner reads 'thank you, Francis' near the Santa Maria Maggiore. Pic: AP
Behind closed doors, cardinals later performed the rite of burial for Pope Francis.
Their solemn task done, they will now spend nine days in mourning for the Bishop of Rome.
And then? Conclave, and the selection of the next pope to lead the Catholic Church...
CREDITS
Reporting and production: Michael Drummond, foreign news reporter
Pictures: Reuters, Associated Press