From hometown to U.S. Capitol, mourners honor Billy Graham

Visitors pay their respects as the casket of Billy Graham lies in honor in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on Feb. 28, 2018.

The nation's political leaders bowed their heads for a solemn salute to Graham, paying tribute to a man who ministered to presidents and other Americans of both parties.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, Karen Pence, Vice President Mike Pence and President Donald Trump attend the ceremony at the Capitol on Feb. 28.

"Here lies America's pastor," said Ryan, gesturing to Graham's casket under the eye of the dome, surrounded by family, friends, lawmakers and a ring of paintings of the nation's founders. "He ministered to all walks, from some of the greats whose statues line this hall — Eisenhower, King, Ford, and Reagan — to the everyday citizens lining up today to pay their respects."

President Donald Trump touches the casket. Trump said his father was an admirer of Graham's and that the "legendary" American figure deserved to be recognized in the place "where the memory of the American people is enshrined."

Billy Graham lies in honor during a ceremony in the rotunda on Feb. 28.

Members of the U.S. military carry the casket during ceremonies on Feb. 28.

Graham's family watches as his casket arrives at the Capitol on Feb. 28.

A military honor guard carries Graham's casket up the steps of the U.S. Capitol on Feb. 28.

Former President Bill Clinton greets Franklin Graham as he arrives to pay respects to Billy Graham on Feb. 27. 

Mourners enter to pay their respects at the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte on Feb. 26.

Graham, the charismatic North Carolina pastor who took his evangelizing crusades around the country and the globe, died on Wednesday morning, according to officials of his organization. He was 99.

Pallbearers carry Graham's casket past family members as it arrives at the Billy Graham Library on Feb. 24.

A woman reads a brochure under a large photo of Billy Graham at the Billy Graham Library on Feb. 26.

Mourners stand outside the Billy Graham Library and childhood home after paying their respects on Feb. 26.

Mourners stand in line to pay their respects as Billy Graham lies in repose on Feb. 26.

Wyatt Nordin, left, from Atlanta, watches as his brother Lucas writes his name in the registry as people pay respects to Billy Graham on Feb. 26.

Frankie Flesher, left, prays with Sandy Bender at a public memorial for well-wishers at the entrance to the Billy Graham Library on Feb. 25.

Billy Graham's grandson Roy, right, greets people as they arrive to pay their respects on Feb. 26.

A mourner wipes her tears in front of a closed casket inside Billy Graham's boyhood home on Feb. 26.

Former President George W. Bush speaks to the media as wife Laura Bush, Franklin Graham and his wife Jane Graham listen after paying their respects to Billy Graham on Feb. 26.

A motorcade transports Billy Graham's body in Hickory, North Carolina on Feb. 24.

People take photos as the hearse carrying Billy Graham's body drives toward the Billy Graham Library on Feb. 24.

Mourners line Highway 70 through Black Mountain, North Carolina as the motorcade carrying Billy Graham passes by on Feb. 24.

Photos - Billy Graham: The evangelist pastor's life in pictures