The funeral for Pope Francis is scheduled for Saturday, April 26, in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City. The Mass will begin at 10 a.m. Rome time, with Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re presiding. The ceremony will be broadcast on multiple media outlets, with an expected attendance of world leaders and approximately 200,000 people. Following the funeral, the Pope will be interred at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, and the Novendiales, a nine-day mourning period, will commence.
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The funeral Mass for Pope Francis will be held on Saturday, April 26, at 10:00 a.m. Rome time in St. Peter's Square 2 3. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, will preside over the liturgy 2 3. Patriarchs, cardinals, archbishops, bishops, and priests from around the world will concelebrate the Mass, which is expected to draw approximately 200,000 attendees 2 3. The Mass will primarily be in Latin but will incorporate other languages, including Italian, English, Polish, and Arabic 2 3.
Thousands of pilgrims have gathered in Rome to pay their respects to Pope Francis 1 5. Many waited in line for hours, even overnight, to view the Pope lying in state in St. Peter's Basilica 1 5. Pilgrims from various backgrounds, including those from Portugal, El Salvador, and Spain, shared stories of how Pope Francis' message of openness and welcome brought them back to the Church or deepened their faith 1. Some pilgrims noted the beauty and prayerful atmosphere of St. Peter's Basilica at night 5.
On Friday, April 25, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Cardinal-Camerlengo, presided over the Rite of Sealing of the Coffin in a private ceremony 2 3 6 8. The ceremony marked the end of the public viewing of Pope Francis 2 3 6 8. A document summarizing Pope Francis' life and ministry was read, and a white silk cloth was placed over his face 6 7 8. A bag containing coins and medals minted during his pontificate, along with a copy of the rogito, were placed in the coffin 6 8. The coffin, made of simple wood with a zinc lining, was then sealed with the seals of various Vatican offices 2 3 6 8. This single coffin design reflects changes to papal funeral rites implemented by Pope Francis 2 8.
Following the funeral Mass, Pope Francis' coffin will be transported to the Basilica of St. Mary Major, his chosen burial site 2 3 7 11. The procession will follow a four-mile route through the streets of Rome, a journey reminiscent of papal processions from centuries past 7 11. The hearse will pass by significant landmarks, including the Colosseum and the Roman Forum 1 7. Upon arrival at St. Mary Major, the coffin will be greeted by a group of poor and marginalized people, reflecting Pope Francis' dedication to serving the vulnerable 7 11. The burial will then take place in a private ceremony 5 11.
The funeral Mass will be broadcast and streamed live by numerous media outlets 2 3 9 10 11. Coverage will begin at 4:00 a.m. Eastern Time (10:00 a.m. Rome time) 2 3 9 10. Viewers can watch the funeral on EWTN, Vatican News' YouTube channel, and other major news networks 2 3 9 10. The Catholic Channel on SiriusXM and Relevant Radio will also broadcast the Mass live 10.
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The death of the Pope initiates a series of established procedures and protocols within the Catholic Church. The funeral rites for the Pope are a significant part of this process, preceding the election of a new Pope.
Upon the death of the Pope, the Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church is responsible for officially confirming the death . This is done in the presence of the Master of Papal Liturgical Celebrations, the Cleric Prelates of the Apostolic Camera, and the Secretary and Chancellor of the same, who then draws up the official death certificate . The Camerlengo also places seals on the Pope's study and bedroom . The Cardinal Vicar for Rome is notified of the Pope's death, who then informs the people of Rome . The Cardinal Archpriest of the Vatican Basilica is also notified .
During the vacancy of the Apostolic See, the Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church has several key duties. These include safeguarding and administering the goods and temporal rights of the Holy See, with the assistance of three Cardinal Assistants . The Camerlengo also takes possession of the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican, as well as the Palaces of the Lateran and Castel Gandolfo, either personally or through a delegate, and ensures their custody and administration . Additionally, the Camerlengo determines all matters concerning the Pope's burial, unless the Pope had previously expressed his wishes regarding this .
Following the death of the Pope, the Cardinals celebrate funeral rites for the repose of his soul for nine consecutive days, in accordance with the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis . These rites are performed according to the norms of the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis and the Ordo Rituum Conclavis . The Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis includes the ritual indications, the unfolding of rites, and the specific texts, while referring to other liturgical books such as the missal, lectionary, and gradual for the remaining parts .
If the Pope dies outside Rome, the College of Cardinals is responsible for making all necessary arrangements to transfer the body to the Basilica of Saint Peter's in the Vatican with dignity and reverence .
After the funeral rites have been celebrated, and all necessary preparations for the election are complete, the Cardinal electors meet in the Basilica of Saint Peter's in the Vatican, or elsewhere if circumstances warrant it . This meeting takes place on the fifteenth day after the death of the Pope, or no later than the twentieth day, as per the provisions of Universi Dominici Gregis .
Before beginning the election, the Cardinal electors participate in a solemn Eucharistic celebration with the Votive Mass Pro Eligendo Papa . This celebration preferably takes place in the morning, allowing the prescriptions of the subsequent numbers of the Constitution to be carried out in the afternoon .
The death of the Pope is followed by specific procedures, including the verification of death, notification of relevant parties, and the organization of funeral rites . The Camerlengo plays a crucial role in safeguarding the temporal rights of the Holy See and arranging the Pope's burial . The funeral rites, lasting nine days, are followed by preparations for the election of the new Pope, including a solemn Eucharistic celebration and the meeting of Cardinal electors .