Thousands of people are saying goodbye to Pope Francis at the funeral open to the public in the Basilica of St. Peter, in the Vatican. The ceremony will continue until this Friday (25).
On Saturday (26), will be held from the pontiff funeral. It will start at 10am, local time (5am from Brasilia) and will feature a strong security scheme in Rome.
Francis asked to be buried in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, and will become the first Pope in about a century to be buried outside the Vatican.
Authorities expect more than 200,000 people to attend the funeral, including several heads of state and royalty members.
The faithful should be in both St. Peter’s Square and the route to the Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica, which is about four kilometers.
See Pope Francis’ funeral schedule:
Friday (25)*
- 14h – End of public visitation at the wake
- 15h – Coffin is sealed
*Schedules from Brasilia
Saturday (26)*
- 5h to 7:30 am – Mass of Fine
- 8h – Procession arrives at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore; Tribute of the Poor
- Closed Ceremony – Burial
*Schedules from Brasilia
Pope Francis’ funeral details
On Saturday, with the closed coffin, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the Cardinal College (older member of the group), will start the funeral celebrating the Mass of Exequias (ceremony for deceased Catholics), from 5am (Brasília time), 10am (local time), in São Pedro Square.
Anterior papal funerals were also performed outdoors, with thousands of people following the ceremony in front of the basilica.
This will be the first day of the noveniali (novenary), the nine days of mourning and prayers in honor of the Pope, in St. Peter’s Square, in front of the Basilica of St. Peter, the main Vatican.
After the ceremony, which should be attended by authorities and world leaders, the coffin will be taken back into the St. Peter’s Basilica and, from there, will follow in procession to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, where the burial ceremony will be held.
The Vatican reported that a group of poor and needy will be present in the steps leading to the burial place to pay the last tribute to the pontiff.
In the chapel, Diego Ravelli, master of apostolic ceremonies, will say a new prayer in Latin. Then, seals of the Vatican will be placed on the coffin, which will be deposited in the tomb, receiving holy water.
The notary of the Liberic Chapter wins the authentic scripture that certifies the burial and reads it to those present.
The document is then signed by the Cardinal Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church, the ruler of the Pontifical House, the master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations and, finally, by the notary.
Pope asked for simple tomb on a will
In Pope Francis’ will, signed on July 29, 2022, the Pontiff sought to reinforce his will as to his burial.
He expressed that he would like his remains to be placed in the Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica, in a simple grave, excavated in the ground, without decoration and only with the inscription “Franciscus”.
Finally, Francis left the message that he offered “the Lord the suffering that was present in the last part of my life for world peace and the fraternity among peoples.”
“I have always trusted my life and my priestly and episcopal ministry to the mother of our Lord, Santa Maria. Therefore, I ask my remains to rest waiting for the day of resurrection in the papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore,” says the document.
Vatican shows how Pope Francis’ tomb will be
The Vatican released this Thursday (24) how will be the tomb of Pope Francis in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. The official news agency of Santa Sé published a photo of the project, in which you can see some details.
The tomb will be made in marble and will only bring the inscription “Franciscus” – a request from the Pope himself in his will – and the reproduction of his pectoral cross.
The Pope’s grave venue was prepared in a niche from the side ship of the Basilica, between the Paulina Chapel and the Sforza Chapel, and is located near the Altar of San Francisco.
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 Pope Francis funeral: see schedule and details of the ceremony on the CNN Brazil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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