Francis' funeral: the world bids farewell to the Argentine Pope
He Pope Francis' funeral will take place this Saturday, April 26, in St. Peter's Square. Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who died Monday at the age of 88, will be bid farewell in a historic ceremony that brings together world leaders and thousands of faithful.
Live coverage of The Voice.
Pope Francis made several modifications to his funeral to create a more austere and humble setting. Jorge Bergoglio's decision to be buried in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome is one of the main changes to his farewell ritual.
German Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller, a leading figure in the traditionalist wing of the Catholic Church, made controversial statements ahead of the conclave he will participate in following the death of Pope Francis. "A chapter in the history of the Church has ended... But when it comes to his pontificate, there are different opinions," he said.
The cardinal was a vocal critic of some of the late Pope's decisions and approaches, harshly questioning Francis's stance on homosexual relationships, ties to other religions, and social work, among other issues.
More details on the statements can be found in this article .
The Vatican confirmed that more than 250,000 people have visited Pope Francis's funeral chapel since Wednesday, when his body was laid to rest in St. Peter's Basilica. The turnout exceeded expectations, forcing the doors to remain open overnight.
The funeral chapel was officially closed on Friday at 7 p.m., and the rite of closing the coffin took place at 8 p.m. , presided over by Cardinal Camerlengo Kevin Farrell.
Details of the coffin closure are in this note .
Italian authorities have deployed an unprecedented security operation for the funeral. With 2,000 officers, an anti-drone system, Eurofighter aircraft, and a destroyer in Fiumicino, Rome expects 200,000 mourners.
Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi announced that a no-fly zone has been established over the Vatican, and train stations and airports will be under increased surveillance.
The Vatican published the final list of attendees: 146 countries and 10 international organizations, such as the UN and the European Union, are represented. Among the leaders are 50 heads of state, 10 kings—including Felipe VI of Spain and the monarchs of Belgium and Jordan—and prime ministers from 110 nations. Javier Milei, Donald Trump, and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva arrived in Rome on Friday.
Following Francis' reforms to the "Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis" in 2024, the funeral will be simpler. The Pope will be laid to rest in a single wooden coffin with a zinc interior, without the traditional catafalque or papal staff during the exposition. The Mass will be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals.
After the Mass, the coffin will be transferred to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, where Francis will be buried, fulfilling his testamentary wishes. The procession will pass by the Imperial Forums and the Colosseum, a route unprecedented for a Pope in over a century. The tomb, marked only with the inscription "Franciscus," will be located between the Pauline Chapel and the Sforza Chapel.
More details about the Pope's funeral can be found in this article .
lavoz.AR
