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Funeral to take place on Saturday, the Vatican confirms
The Vatican has officially announced that Pope Francis’s funeral is scheduled for Saturday at 10am local time, as reported by Reuters.
According to a brief statement, the funeral service will take place in St. Peter’s Square and will be led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the head of the College of Cardinals.
After the service, the coffin will be transported into St. Peter’s Basilica and subsequently to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore for burial, as per the wishes of Pope Francis.
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Updated at 10.19 CEST
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Vatican power struggle: will an ‘anti-Francis’ pope emerge from conclave?
The passing of Pope Francis marks a significant moment that highlights the ongoing internal conflicts that have characterized his time in office.
In the forthcoming days, a vigorous contest for the direction of the church is anticipated within the sacred confines of the Sistine Chapel.
Of the 250 cardinals, 135 will be eligible to participate in the conclave, as those over the age of 80 are ineligible to vote. These indicators suggest that eligible cardinals will begin arriving in Rome shortly.
During the 12 years of his papacy, Francis appointed approximately 110 of these voting cardinals, broadening the geographical representation. Observers speculate that these decisions may have aimed to ensure a smooth transition that aligns with his vision.
As Iacopo Scaramuzzi, a Vatican journalist for La Repubblica, noted, this composition may complicate the emergence of an “anti-Francis” successor. He remarked that this group is not homogeneous or fully aligned in ideology, incorporating both conservative and progressive elements.
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Details of coffin procession on Wednesday
The transfer of the coffin from Santa Marta to St. Peter’s Basilica is set to commence at 9am local time on Wednesday, as detailed in a note from the Vatican.
Following a moment of reflection, the procession will traverse through Piazza Santa Marta and Piazza dei Protomartiri Romani, arriving at St. Peter’s Square before entering the Basilica through the central entrance.
After the liturgical service, visitors from around the globe will have the opportunity to pay their respects to Francis.
The service will be led by Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, the Camerlengo, who officially announced the pope’s passing on Monday.
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China’s foreign ministry has expressed condolences regarding the death of Pope Francis, while indicating no details on potential attendees for the funeral, according to Reuters.
Amid ongoing dialogues, a spokesperson for the ministry, Guo Jiakun, noted that productive interactions between China and the Vatican have continued in recent years.
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Updated at 10.45 CEST
The Vatican also confirmed that Pope Francis’s coffin will be moved to St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday morning, where it will repose until the service.
The transfer will occur from the Santa Marta residence chapel.
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Updated at 10.25 CEST
Vatican releases images of Francis in open coffin
Recently, the Vatican made available the first images depicting Francis in an open coffin during the certification rite that occurred in the Casa Santa Marta last night.
Vatican News reported that the death declaration was officially read during the rite, which was validated by Cardinal Farrell, with the entire ceremony lasting nearly an hour.
Further details regarding the public viewing of the coffin in St. Peter’s Basilica are anticipated today.
How will the next pope be selected?
The selection of the next pope will be conducted by the College of Cardinals, who are the chief leaders of the Catholic Church, gathered in Rome for the conclave. This term is derived from the Latin cum clave, which translates to “with key,” implying a closed electoral process.
Among more than 250 cardinals from over 90 nations, only approximately 135 are eligible to vote (those over 80 are excluded). About 110 of these electors have been appointed by Francis himself over the past decade, reflecting his vision for a more inclusive church.
Once all cardinals convene in Rome, typically 15-20 days after the pope’s death, they will gather beneath Michelangelo’s iconic ceiling in the Sistine Chapel to initiate the selection process. After the ceremonial declaration of extra omnes – which means everyone but the voting cardinals must leave – the doors will be securely locked.
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The Vatican this morning – in pictures
Observations from within the Vatican show a Carabinieri member stationed outside St. Peter’s Square in response to the passing of Pope Francis.
A woman carries a crucifix as faithful approach the Vatican.
Attendees have been lining up to access St. Peter’s Square during this period of mourning.
People are continuing to gather in front of St. Peter’s Square to pay their respects in light of the pope’s passing.
Ukraine’s Zelenskyy expected to attend funeral
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy is anticipated to be present at the funeral, according to sources within his administration, as reported by AFP.
The diplomatic guest list is expected to grow quickly, with numerous countries preparing to send their leaders to honor the legacy of Francis, which could lead to significant high-level discussions during the funeral.
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France’s Macron to attend Francis’s funeral
French President Emmanuel Macron has also confirmed his attendance, making the announcement while visiting Saint-Denis de la Reunion.
“We will attend the pope’s funeral as is appropriate,” he stated to the press, as per reports from AFP.
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US president Trump expected at Francis’s funeral
Former US President Donald Trump announced plans to travel to the Vatican for the funeral of Pope Francis, which is expected to take place later this week.
In a statement on Truth Social, he said:
Melania and I will be attending the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome. We look forward to being there!
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Front pages from around Europe and beyond
Today’s coverage includes front pages from various newspapers across Europe and beyond, reflecting on the death of Pope Francis, including notable publications from Italy and his home country of Argentina.
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Updated at 08.36 CEST
Morning opening: Sede vacante
In the wake of Pope Francis’s passing at the age of 88, the papacy is currently in a state of flux, commonly referred to as sede vacante.
The first decisions are expected today regarding memorial services that will honor Francis’s contributions and set the stage for the selection of his successor.
While Francis left explicit instructions regarding his burial preferences, indicating he wished to rest in St. Mary Major basilica, the timeline for proceedings will ultimately be determined by the cardinals.
The Congregation of Cardinals is likely to convene today to discuss key arrangements, including the timing of the viewing of his body and the funeral’s date. This will initiate a complex diplomatic undertaking that will attract numerous global leaders to Rome and the Vatican.
The countdown also begins for the conclave, which needs to be held 15-20 days post the pope’s death to select his successor. Anticipation surrounds potential candidates, or papabili, who might rise in consideration to replace Francis.
I will provide timely updates throughout the day.
It’s Tuesday, 22 April 2025, and this is Europe Live.
Good morning.
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www.theguardian.com