Tens of thousands queue to see Pope Francis's body

St Peter's Basilica had extended its opening hours to accommodate large crowds gathered outside.

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On Thursday morning, the queue to see the Pope, who is in an open coffin, stretched out of St Peter's Square and down the street - the longest the line had become since his body was moved to lie in state on Wednesday.

Entry to the church in Vatican City had been due to stop at midnight local time (22:00 GMT), but opening hours were extended to accommodate large crowds.

The pontiff died on Monday at the age of 88 after suffering a stroke. He had spent five weeks in hospital earlier this year with double pneumonia.

Pope Francis was the first Latin American leader of the Catholic Church and held the role for 12 years.