Video: The first images of the deceased Pope Francis

According to the rules of the Holy See, the burial of the spiritual leader of 1.4 billion Catholics in the world should take place between Friday (25) and Sunday (27). According to the Italian press, the presence of half a million faithful is expected.

As in 2005, when John Paul II died, heads of state and monarchs around the world should also attend. United States President Donald Trump confirmed presence, as well as French President Emmanuel Macron, and Ukrainian Volodimir Zelenski.

“We look forward to being there!” Said Trump on Monday, who will accompany his wife Melania.

Waiting for the date, some details of the funeral are already known.

Unlike his immediate predecessors, Jorge Mario Bergoglio chose that his remains will be in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maior, in Rome, in a “simple” grave, where the only inscription will be “Franciscus”, his papal name in Latin.

But rather, the faithful will be able to contemplate their wooden coffin and zinc in the Basilica of St. Peter, in the Vatican, where it will be taken on Wednesday (23), leaving the residence of Santa Marta, where he passed away.

Despite his fragile health since hospitalization on February 14 because of a bronchitis that evolved into bilateral pneumonia, his death almost a month after receiving high on the Catholic Church.

Thousands of the faithful gathered on Monday night with flowers and candles in prayer in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican, where, the day before, a visibly tired Francis made his last public appearance aboard the PapaMobile, on the occasion of resurrection Sunday.

“The Pope of the Last”

“It’s sad and unfortunate news,” he told AFP Concepción Talavera, a 51 -year -old woman who attended the Mass celebrated in the Santa Maria de Guadalupe Basilica in Mexico City. “In the end, I think he gave us all for us,” he added.

His death also began countdown to the choice of his successor. The conclave to elect the new Pontiff Supreme Pontiff must be performed within 15 and 20 days. More than two thirds of the 135 cardinal voters were appointed by Francisco.

Meanwhile, honors to the reformist Pope multiply around the world. He dedicated himself tirelessly to the defense of migrants, the environment and social justice, with an austere and humble style.

“Thanks for making the world a better place. We’ll miss you,” wrote the Argentine football star on Instagram, about his compatriot, a football passionate and the honorary partner of the San Lorenzo club.

“The Pope of the Last” is the headline of several Italian newspapers on Tuesday, in reference to his choice for the most disadvantaged and the biblical passage: “The last will be the first in the kingdom of heaven.”

“He animated us a lot, the migrants, because he gave us words of encouragement to everyone we left our countries,” AFP Marisela Guerrero, a 45 -year -old Venezuelan who recently migrated to Chile.

Although, during his pontificate that began in March 2013, he did not even question the conservative positions of the Church on topics such as abortion or the celibacy of the priests, his style close to the people displeased conservative sectors, who accused him of lack of orthodoxy.

In addition to popular fervor, former Buenos Aires archbishop leaves a legacy marked by the fight against pedophilia in the church, the encouragement of the participation of women and lay people, and the defense of dialogue between religions, among others.

© Agence France-Presse