Pope Francis transformed women's roles in the Catholic Church without changing doctrine. His legacy: creating pathways for female leadership while maintaining tradition.

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Thousands of people filed through the central aisle of St. Peter’s Basilica to pay their final respects to Pope Francis on Wednesday, the start of three days of public viewing ahead of the pontiff’s funeral.

Pope Francis’ body was transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican on Wednesday, April 23, allowing mourners to pay their final respects. The late pope, who died Monday, April 21, will lie in state in an open casket for the next few days until his funeral is held on Saturday, April 26. The Vatican