Moffat Mungazi
POPE Francis’s coffin has arrived at St Peter’s Basilica, where it will lie in state for public viewings for the next three days.
The solemn procession to the basilica marked the start of a three-day period for the faithful to pay their respects ahead of Saturday’s funeral mass.
Pope Francis’ funeral mass will be held at 10am on Saturday in St Peter’s Square, the Vatican announced. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re will preside over the mass, joined by clergy from around the world.
World leaders, cardinals and crowds of pilgrims are expected to flock to the Vatican for Pope Francis’ funeral.
The Prince of Wales will join the likes of US president Donald Trump, Sir Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron and Volodymyr Zelensky to pay their respects to the pontiff, who died aged 88 on Monday.
He is said to have shown the first signs of sudden illness two hours before passing, according to the Vatican news outlet, which reported he made a gesture of farewell with his hand to his nurse before falling into a coma.
His death came after he was hospitalised with double pneumonia for several weeks in February, before he returned to the Vatican in mid-March to recover.
Public queuing to see Pope lying in state
The public have started filing in to St Peter’s Basilica to see the Pope’s coffin.
Today is the first of three days of public viewing ahead of the funeral on Saturday. – Independent
Online Reporter