Pallbearers are now lifting up the Pope’s coffin to be taken in procession to the church of Santa Maria Maggiore shortly.
Cardinal blesses coffin with holy water
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re has just blessed the Pope’s coffin with holy water, before burning incense in a thurible – a symbol of cleansing.
The bells have just rolled three times – at midday local time on the dot – after the blessing of the coffin was carried out.
There is total silence, bar the helicopter overhead.
Priests distribute communion to thousands in the streets
A bit earlier, a procession of priests in white made its way right to the end of the road leading to St Peter’s Square, carrying golden chalices full of wafers for communion.
The large crowd quickly moved forward to receive the hosts and then broke out again in applause as the choir finished singing.