Pope Francis, the 266th head of the Roman Catholic Church, died on April 21 at the age of 88.

Francis did away with that sort of viewing. Instead, a procession brought his coffin on Wednesday directly to St. Peter’s Basilica, where a public viewing is taking place. Francis’ body, dressed in papal vestments, his head covered with a white bishop’s miter, is lying in state to allow tens of thousands of mourners to bid farewell.

After the death of Francis in Argentina, there is ongoing debate about why the Pope never visited his homeland. Despite declaring his attachment to the country, he avoided visiting, fearing the political consequences in a deeply divided society.