The Vatican reported that nearly 20,000 people passed through Pope Francis’ funeral in São Pedro Basilica until this Wednesday (23). The ceremony began on Tuesday (22) and will remain open to the public until Friday (25).
The Holy See said earlier on Wednesday that it can extend the visitation time until after midnight in Rome, local time (19h of Brasilia), due to the large number of people.
The pontiff’s funeral will take place on Saturday (26) at 10am, local time (5am from Brasilia) and should gather several world leaders, including Javier Milei, president of Argentina, Francisco’s homeland, and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (PT).
The Pope will be buried in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, outside the Vatican, breaking another tradition of the Catholic Church.
In addition, the Holy See said that 103 cardinals are already in the Vatican, but has not commented how many of them are voters – that is, they are under 80 years old. In all, there are 135 cardinals currently.
They participate in pre-competition meetings, the secret vote that will elect the next Pope and define the direction of the Catholic Church for the coming years.
Pope Francis’ death
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, took the lead of the Catholic Church in March 2013.
He marked the history of the institution as the first Latin American Pope and the first Jesuit to occupy the position.
The pontiff died after a stroke and irreversible heart failure, Vatican doctor Andrea Arcangeli said in a death certificate released on Monday (21).
Cardinals from around the world now address Rome and the Vatican to participate in the conclave, the secret election that will elect the next Pope. This should occur in early May.
The clerics remembered the pontificate of Francis, highlighting his “humility and bravery.”
See images of Pope Francis’ life:
Who are the Brazilian cardinals who vote for the conclave and can be Papa
This content was originally published in almost 20,000 people have already visited Pope Francis’ funeral, says Vatican on CNN Brazil.
Source: CNN Brasil
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