Date for the Burial of Pope Francis Set

The funeral service for Pope Francis will take place on Saturday at 10:00 AM in Rome, according to the Vatican on Tuesday morning. The Dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, will preside over the burial liturgy. Afterwards, Francis will be laid to rest in his favorite Roman church, Santa Maria Maggiore.

Farewell to Pope Francis in St. Peter's Basilica

As early as Wednesday morning, the Pope's body will be transferred to St. Peter's Basilica starting at 9:00 AM. In a procession, high-ranking church officials will accompany the coffin from the chapel in the Vatican guesthouse Santa Marta to St. Peter's Basilica. Soon after, people will be allowed to pay their respects to the deceased Pope there.

Meanwhile, the body of Francis has been laid out in the chapel of his residence Santa Marta. Cardinals, members of the Curia, and Vatican employees can pay their respects at the open coffin. As seen in the first photos released by the Vatican, the coffin is placed in front of an altar. Francis often celebrated early mass at this altar. According to the Vatican, the deceased Pope is wearing a red garment and a white bishop's mitre. A rosary is wrapped around his folded hands. A member of the Swiss Guard stands watch on either side.

Numerous State Guests Expected for Pope Francis' Funeral

State guests from around the world are expected to attend the funeral service. US President Donald Trump has also announced his attendance. According to Kathpress, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Argentina's President Javier Milei have also confirmed their attendance. In his will, published on Monday evening, Francis stated that he wished to be buried not in St. Peter's Basilica, but in the Marian church Santa Maria Maggiore near Rome's main train station Termini. Only his name should be inscribed on his grave: Franciscus. There are already graves of former Popes there, although the last burial was more than 350 years ago. The conclave to elect the new Pope is likely to begin in early May - again in the Sistine Chapel. As of now, 135 cardinals from around the world under the age of 80 are eligible to vote. The cardinals have already been summoned to Rome by the Dean of the College of Cardinals, Giovanni Battista Re.

First Withdrawal from Conclave After Pope Francis' Death

Meanwhile, the former Archbishop of Vrhbosna (Sarajevo), Cardinal Vinko Puljic (79), has withdrawn from attending the upcoming conclave. He will not be able to come to Rome for health reasons, Puljic told the Croatian newspaper "Vecernji list" according to Kathpress. "The doctors advise against it, and I do not intend to travel to Rome unless the Vatican explicitly requests it," said the Cardinal. Pope Francis was "the morally strongest authority in the nightmare of war, where hope is indeed killed," Puljic was also quoted by the Croatian broadcaster HRT regarding the Pope's death. "He tirelessly spoke out against armament, against war, against terror, thus having a special message for humanity." At the same time, Puljic caused a stir with a remark that Francis left behind "numerous memories, but also many disappointments" after his death. He did not specify what these disappointments were. Puljic led the Catholic Archdiocese of Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1990 to 2022.

(APA/Red)

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