Following the death of the highest representative of the Catholic Church, the Vatican’s announcement of Pope Francis’s impending funeral has set the world stage for one of the most significant events in the Catholic Church’s history.
Watch the video below.
The service, scheduled for Saturday at St Peter’s Basilica, promises to highlight Francis’s unique legacy and departure from traditional norms.
On Easter Monday, Pope Francis passed away at 88 due to a stroke and heart failure.
In a notable departure from tradition, mourners will witness his body in an open casket at St Peter’s Basilica starting Wednesday.
This three-day public viewing allows his countless followers to pay respects to a leader who significantly influenced the Church’s approach to modern issues.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell is set to lead the prayer service and the procession of the Pope’s body to the Basilica.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re will lead the main funeral service, which will attract heads of state and royalty from across the globe.
Expected attendees include President Trump, Melania Trump, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
In his final wishes, Pope Francis requested burial in a single wooden casket at St Mary Major, defying the opulent traditions of the past.
The Vatican confirmed no private viewing for cardinals or elevation of the coffin on a pedestal.
This decision echoes Francis’s humble papal approach and his desire to be close to the common man.
The event marks the end of a Latin American papacy, during which Francis served for 12 years, focusing on aiding the poor.
The ecclesiastical and global communities remember him for “truly giving everything he had, up to the end.”
Moreover, tributes from world leaders continue to pour in, underscoring his profound impact on moral leadership.
After the funeral, a conclave of cardinals will convene to choose a successor. Only cardinals under 80 will cast ballots, and the new Pope will require a two-thirds majority vote.
The process will take place in the Sistine Chapel, keeping with age-old traditions. Once elected, the Church will announce the new Pope with the phrase “Habemus Papam.”
For those attending or watching from afar, this is a chance to reflect on Pope Francis’s revolutionary papacy and the Church’s ongoing journey under new leadership.
As respect and tributes continue worldwide, his legacy will clearly influence discussions for cardinals selecting his successor.
