In today’s newsletter, the ritualistic sights and scenes at Pope Francis’s funeral. Plus: I watched the funeral for Pope Francis from atop the braccio, or “arm,” extending up and outward to the left of St.

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.