Cardinals, royals and heads of state attended. But many mourners, some of whom slept on the streets overnight, said they came for a pope who had cared for the poor and marginalized.

The public funeral Mass is being held in front of St. Peter's Basilica, with Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re presiding. The funeral will be less formal than other papal funerals, with Francis having made changes last year around the process, including the use of a modest wooden coffin.

By Joshua McElwee, Crispian Balmer and Philip Pullella VATICAN CITY (Reuters) -Pope Francis' wooden coffin was carried into St. Peter's Square on Saturday at the start of a funeral Mass attended by a multitude of mourners,