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Tens of thousands of mourners, alongside numerous global leaders, are convening in Rome to honor the life of the late Pope Francis during a funeral mass at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City.
Just six days after he succumbed to heart failure and a stroke at the age of 88, his body will be interred in a zinc and wooden coffin at the Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore, more than two miles from the Vatican. This marks a significant moment, as it is the first time since 1903 that a pope will not be laid to rest within the Vatican walls. Over the past three days, thousands have paid their respects during the public viewing, culminating in a private sealing of his coffin by senior officials of the Catholic Church on Friday night.
The ceremony will begin at 10 AM local time on Saturday, featuring a procession led by a priest carrying a cross into the expansive square, where a copy of the New Testament will be placed on the late pope’s coffin. The Italian government estimates that up to 200,000 people may participate, and the Vatican has compiled a list of attendees that includes leaders from more than 110 countries.
This occasion will mark President Trump’s first international trip of his second term, and he will be joined by former President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and many others.
Additional attendees will include senior Christian clergy, specifically patriarchs, archbishops, and bishops. A sermon will celebrate Francis’ life, while the service will primarily adhere to traditional Catholic customs, following the late pope’s wishes for a simpler ceremony.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the dean of the College of Cardinals, will lead the service, primarily speaking in Latin, with prayers also being offered in Polish, Chinese, Arabic, and Portuguese. Cardinal Re is set to oversee the conclave of 135 cardinals tasked with electing the next pope, anticipated for the second week of May.
In a book published last year titled “El Sucesor,” Francis expressed a desire for his burial to reflect the dignity of a common Christian, emphasizing his role as a pastor rather than a figure of worldly power. He requested that “Franciscus” be inscribed on his tomb, which will be crafted from marble sourced from Liguria, Italy—the ancestral home of his grandparents who emigrated to Argentina.
Argentinian President Javier Milei will also be present, along with his Irish counterparts, the presidents of Poland and Brazil, the outgoing German chancellor, the King of Spain, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Notably, Russian media have reported that President Vladimir Putin will not attend, as he faces a warrant for arrest should he travel to Italy, linked to alleged war crimes in Ukraine.
Following the mass, a selected group representing what the Vatican describes as the “poor and needy” will greet Francis’ coffin at the steps of Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica, underscoring the late pope’s dedication to supporting society’s vulnerable populations, particularly migrants and refugees, throughout his papacy.
The Vatican has announced that the public will be able to visit his tomb starting Sunday, with numerous cardinals expected to do so that afternoon. A nine-day mourning period, known in Latin as the “Novemdiales,” will follow, featuring daily masses to honor his memory.
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