Cardinals convened Tuesday, April 22, for the first time since the death of Pope Francis, announcing that his funeral will be held Saturday, April 26, at 10 am in St. Peter’s Square (6 pm AEST).
The service will be celebrated by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals. Francis, the first Latin American pope, died Monday at age 88 following a stroke.
Beginning Wednesday, Pope Francis will lie in state in St. Peter’s Basilica, allowing the faithful to pay their final respects. Vatican officials began saying their goodbyes Monday evening.
“He truly gave everything he had, up to the end,” said Sister Nathalie Becquart, one of the Vatican’s highest-ranking women.
Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi highlighted Francis’ legacy of promoting women’s roles in the Church as among his most enduring contributions.
The funeral is expected to draw tens of thousands of mourners. Among those planning to attend are US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Argentine President Javier Milei.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Governor-General Sam Mostyn, currently returning from Anzac Day commemorations in Gallipoli, would be a fitting representative.
Rome has begun ramping up security. Police on foot, horseback, and in boats were seen patrolling St. Peter’s Square and surrounding areas, already busy with Easter tourists. A separate youth jubilee mass on Sunday is expected to bring even more visitors to the city.
Pope Francis made his final public appearance on Easter Sunday, delivering his Urbi et Orbi blessing from the same loggia where he was first introduced as pope on March 13, 2013. Afterward, he surprised the crowd with a ride through the square in his popemobile.
Among his last words were a heartfelt thanks to his personal healthcare assistant, Massimiliano Strappetti: “Thank you for bringing me back to the Square.”
Strappetti had remained by the Pope’s side through his recent 38-day hospitalisation and recovery.
Francis died peacefully early Monday morning after falling into a coma at the Casa Santa Marta, his residence. Those present said he showed no signs of suffering and passed discreetly, in keeping with his reserved nature regarding his health.
The Vatican released images Tuesday of Francis’ body in red vestments and a bishop’s miter, lying in a wooden casket in the chapel where he lived and died. In accordance with his will, he will be buried at St. Mary Major Basilica, home to his beloved icon of the Virgin Mary.
Cardinals are now preparing for a conclave to select his successor. As tributes continue pouring in, Francis is being remembered for his humility, pastoral spirit, and devotion to the marginalised.
“He gave himself to the end,” said Cardinal Matteo Zuppi. “To go out to meet everyone, speak to everyone, teach us to speak to everyone, to bless everyone.”
Source: 9News.
