Funeral procession will begin on the morning of Wednesday (23), when the body of the pontiff will be transported from the house of Santa Marta to the Basilica of St. Peter
He officially announced the date of the funeral, which will take place next Saturday (26). The funeral procession will begin on the morning of Wednesday (23), when the body of the pontiff will be transported from the house of Santa Marta to the Basilica of St. Peter. The ceremony will start at 9 am, local time. After the procession, the body will be exposed in the basilica, allowing faithful to pay their last honors to Pope Francis. In the coming days, the São Pedro Basilica will be open for visitation, with masses and honors being performed in memory of the Pontiff.
Pope Francis’ popularity, especially outside, is a factor that attracts many faithful to this moment. Although local police have not disclosed official figures on the number of people expected, the city is expected to receive a large number of visitors. Comparisons with previous funerals indicate that although the event should not overcome the farewell of Pope John Paul II in 2005, it will still be a significant moment for the Catholic community. The movement in the city is already noticeable, with tourists and faithful gathering to pay their honors to Pope Francis, who leaves a legacy of reforms and dialogue within the Catholic Church.
*With information from Luca Bassani
