Pope Francis died at 88 from a stroke on April 21 after a long battle with pneumonia. The Vatican will now prepare to say goodbye to the Holy Father at a St. Peter’s Basilica funeral mass. The Holy See Press Office announced Pope Francis’ funeral on April 22. It will occur on April 26 at 10:00 a.m. in St. Peter’s Square.
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“Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, will preside at the Mass, which will be concelebrated by Patriarchs, Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, and priests from across the globe. The Eucharistic celebration will conclude with the Ultima commendatio and the Valedictio, marking the beginning of the Novemdiales, or nine days of mourning and Masses for the repose of Pope Francis’ soul. The late Pope’s body will then be taken into St. Peter’s Basilica and then to the Basilica of St. Mary Major for entombment,” the Vatican announced.
Pope Francis Will Arrive at St. Peter’s Basilica April 23
Per the Vatican, officials will transport Pope Francis’ body from Casa Santa Marta to St. Peter’s Basilica on April 24 so the “faithful may pay their respects.”
“Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, will preside over the rite of translation on April 23, which will begin at 9:00 AM with a moment of prayer. The procession will pass through Santa Marta Square and the Square of the Roman Protomartyrs, according to the Holy See Press Office. The procession will then exit through the Arch of the Bells into St. Peter’s Square and enter the Vatican Basilica through the central door.
At the Altar of the Confession, the Cardinal Camerlengo will preside over the Liturgy of the Word, at the conclusion of which the visits to the body of the Roman Pontiff will commence.”
Those wishing to pay their respects before St. Francis’ funeral can visit St. Peter’s Basilica on April 23 from 11:00 AM to midnight; on April 24 from 7:00 AM to midnight; and on April 25 from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
This story’s featured image is by OSCAR DEL POZO/AFP via Getty Images.
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