Online Reporter
POPE Francis’ coffin has been moved to St Peter’s Basilica for the faithful to mourn the death of the humble pontiff and pay tributes.
Tens of thousands of Catholics are set to visit the Vatican over the next two days to pay respects to Francis, who will now lie in state inside the 16th-century basilica.
Francis’s body − visible in red robes and white ceremonial mitre with his hands clutching a rosary − was taken in an open coffin through the huge main door of the vast columned building.
Warm applause rang out as the scarlet-rimmed coffin was carried through crowds.
Sombre choral music was played across the vast cobbled square as hushed crowds gathered in seating to watch the dramatic pageant.
Till then, three days of public viewing have been organised for ordinary Catholics to grieve the 88-year-old pope, who died on Easter Monday after suffering a stroke.
The solemn rite preceded the beginning of Francis’s traditional lying in state ahead of his funeral.
The pontiff’s funeral will take place on Saturday morning in St Peter’s Square in Vatican City in Rome, with the service scheduled to begin at 10am local time.
The Vatican has announced that St. Peter’s Basilica will be kept open until midnight on today to allow the faithful to mourn.
Cardinals and top clergy members are expected to attend the event, along with world leaders from across the globe.
The public mourning period will end tomorrow at 7pm local time.
Once inside the Catholic church, his casket will be placed on the main altar of the basilica, unlike previous popes who were kept on an elevated bier.
Till now, Francis was kept in the Santa Marta Domus − his residence in the Vatican − in a private viewing for local residents and the papal household.
On Tuesday, the Vatican released images showing Francis lying in an open casket, wearing the traditional pointed headdress of bishops and red robes, his hands folded over a rosary.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s number two, was pictured praying by Francis.
As the world mourns the loss of the beloved pontiff, carefully orchestrated plans are underway in the Vatican for his “humble” funeral.
The service will be led by the dean of the College of Cardinals and is expected to draw top world leaders who will join thousands of mourners from across the globe for the historic event − Sun.
POPE Francis’ final testament has been revealed as the pontiff asked to be buried in a simple tomb underground.
The leader of the Catholic Church, 88, died from a cerebral stroke and subsequent irreversible heart failure, the Vatican revealed 12 hours after his passing was announced.
Pope Francis had been hospitalised for weeks at the Gemelli hospital in Rome earlier this year after suffering a bout of bronchitis and double pneumonia.
He was discharged on March 23 after the 38-day stay and was able to bless crowds of worshippers on Easter Sunday.
But just hours later, Vatican officials announced the leader of the Catholic Church had passed away.
The cerebral stroke led to a coma and irreversible heart failure, a death certificate released by the Vatican said, 12 hours after the pope’s death was announced.
The pontiff’s spiritual testament has since been released, dated 29 June 2022, revealing his wishes to be buried in St. Mary Major Basilica in simple, underground tomb.
Some of his testament reads: “Throughout my life, and during my ministry as a priest and bishop, I have always entrusted myself to the, mother of our lord, the blessed Virgin Mary.
“For this reason, I ask that my mortal remains rest – awaiting the day of the resurrection – in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major.
“I wish my final earthly journey to end precisely in this ancient Marian sanctuary, where I would always stop to pray at the beginning and end of every apostolic journey, confidently entrusting my intentions to the Immaculate Mother, and giving thanks for her gentle and maternal care.”
Full statement
In the name of the Most Holy Trinity. Amen.
As I sense the approaching twilight of my earthly life, and with firm hope in eternal life, I wish to set out my final wishes solely regarding the place of my burial.
Throughout my life, and during my ministry as a priest and bishop, I have always entrusted myself to the, mother of our lord, the blessed Virgin Mary.
For this reason, I ask that my mortal remains rest – awaiting the day of the resurrection – in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major.
I wish my final earthly journey to end precisely in this ancient Marian sanctuary, where I would always stop to pray at the beginning and end of every apostolic journey, confidently entrusting my intentions to the Immaculate Mother, and giving thanks for her gentle and maternal care.
I ask that my tomb be prepared in the burial niche in the side aisle between the Pauline Chapel and the Sforza Chapel of the Basilica, as shown in the attached plan.
The tomb should be in the ground; simple, without particular ornamentation, bearing only the inscription: Franciscus.
The cost of preparing the burial will be covered by a sum provided by a benefactor, which I have arranged to be transferred to the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major. I have given the necessary instructions regarding this to Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, extraordinary commissioner of the Liberian Basilica.
May the lord grant a fitting reward to all those who have loved me and who continue to pray for me.
The suffering that has marked the final part of my life, I offer to the Lord, for peace in the world and for fraternity among peoples − Sun.
