AMNA NAWAZ: Today in Rome, a last chance for the faithful to view Pope Francis in his casket before his funeral tomorrow.

More than a quarter-million people over the three days of public viewing processed by Francis resting in a simple wood coffin; 54 heads of state, including President Trump, will attend tomorrow's service in St. Peter's Basilica.

Again tonight, special correspondent Malcolm Brabant reports from Rome.

MALCOLM BRABANT: On this, the last day of lying in state, the faithful lined up at dawn to pay tribute to the late pontiff.

The scenes inside St. Peter's were more reverential than earlier in the week, after the Vatican ordered people to stop photographing Francis in his casket.

SUOR MAYARA, Italian Nun (through translator): Truly, I felt in my heart as though I had lost someone very close to me.

But it was a moment to stay in prayer for him, to grant him peace, to give thanks for everything he has done for the church.

This is the feeling of gratitude.

STEPHEN COTTRELL, Archbishop of York: We spent time at the coffin of Pope Francis, just sitting in silence for a few minutes and praying and remembering a very, very beautiful and faithful ministry.

MALCOLM BRABANT: Stephen Cottrell, the archbishop of York, is acting head of the Church of England.

STEPHEN COTTRELL: I think it was his simplicity of life and his humility, which is what has made his papacy appear so different.

And I think that's something that all of us as Christian leaders can learn from.

And the fact that he was able to lay aside some of the pomp and the ceremony was something that is very beautiful and has touched our hearts.

MALCOLM BRABANT: Despite Pope Francis' reforms, Catholicism remains far more rigid than the archbishop of York's domain.

And, not surprisingly, he favors a continuity successor.

STEPHEN COTTRELL: What I see when I look at the world is confusion, sorrow, hurt.

And the things that God has given us in Jesus Christ are exactly what the world needs.

So that's what those of us who follow Christ and lead the church, that's who we need to be.

And that's what I hope for in the next pope.

MALCOLM BRABANT: But these are troubled waters.

Following the funeral, a storm is brewing between liberals and conservatives.

FATHER ROBERT SIRICO, Acton Institute: I think, in many respects, the Catholic Church right now is like society in general, that is, polarized.

And I would hope that the next pope would bring some peace, let the dust settle, and bring some authentic dialogue, not just posturing, not just throwing talking points at one another, but really bring some conversation.

MALCOLM BRABANT: Father Robert Sirico heads a center-right institution that offers a moral perspective on the free market.

Like his actor brother tony, who played Paulie Walnuts in the "Sopranos," Father Robert is a straight talker.

Do you not think that the church has to become more progressive to keep in touch with the way in which society is changing?

FATHER ROBERT SIRICO: I think, when I look at churches that have attempted that model, whether it's the Anglican Church in England or the German Church, I see it dying.

Where I see it vibrant and living is in those more traditional parts of the Catholic Church in the United States and, in particular on a more international level, in Africa.

I think we have gotten to the point now in Africa that they could be sending missionaries to the West.

MALCOLM BRABANT: Do you believe that the church is in an existential crisis at all in terms of losing relevance?

FATHER ROBERT SIRICO: I think society is in an existential crisis and that society needs the message of the church.

MALCOLM BRABANT: Some Vatican experts believe it's possible that the next pope might be a conservative from Africa, where Catholicism is booming.

Pope Francis from Argentina broke Europe's dominance of the papacy.

And veteran Vatican observer Robert Mickens believes that European cardinals aim to reassert their authority.

ROBERT MICKENS, English Editor, La Croix International: One of the things we should look for in this conclave are the Europeans, especially those who are more traditional, to put forward a candidate that they think can get enough votes to win this conclave, this papal election, in order to turn the church back to a different path.

I think there's a sense among some of the more conservative, if you will, cardinals that Pope Francis has gone too far.

MALCOLM BRABANT: Having accommodated tens of thousands of mourners, the Italian authorities have now switched their attention to providing security for scores of world leaders who will be attending tomorrow's funeral.

Before departing for Rome, President Trump said he hoped to make progress on trade and the Ukraine conflict.

DONALD TRUMP, President of the United States: It's going to be very interesting.

We're going to meet with a lot of the foreign leaders that want to meet.

Trade deals are going very well.

I think Russia and Ukraine, I think they're coming along, we hope.

Anyway, we're going to Rome to pay our respects.

And we will be leaving that same day.

We will be coming back home tomorrow night.

MALCOLM BRABANT: Seen here with Pope Francis in 2017, President Trump is expected to be seated in a third-tier row of St. Peter's, behind the elite of the Catholic Church and members of royal families.

Ukraine's President Zelenskyy, who enjoyed a much closer relationship with Pope Francis, was due to attend the funeral, but may have to stay in Kyiv because of important military meetings.

If Zelenskyy does make it, it'll be the first time the two leaders will come face-to-face since their acrimonious meeting in the Oval Office two months ago.

The Vatican will be hoping that nothing detracts from Pope Francis' last earthly journey.

Tonight, in keeping with the solemn ancient tradition, Pope Francis' face was covered with a white silk cloth and his coffin sealed in readiness for tomorrow's elaborate funeral.

Humble to the very last, Pope Francis is rebelling against the grandeur of the Vatican.

His final request was to be buried here at the Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore, instead of in St. Peter's, where most popes are interred.

The only inscription his tomb will be his name in Latin, Franciscus.

This church is destined to become one of Christianity's most important shrines, as the calls grow for Francis to be fast-tracked to sainthood.

For the "PBS News Hour," I'm Malcolm Brabant in Rome.