It began on the morning of Wednesday (23) Pope Francis’ public funeral, killed on Monday (21) at 88 years. A crowd of faithful accompanies the ceremony in the Basilica of St. Peter, where the body of the pontiff will be exposed to the funeral, scheduled for Saturday (26), at 10am (local time).
The transfer of the body departed from Casa Santa Marta, residence of Francisco, and was led by Cardinal Camerlengo Kevin Joseph Farrell. The procession crossed Santa Marta Square, passed through the Arco dos Sinos and arrived at St. Peter’s Square, where he was received with applause. The procession followed under liturgical corners and psalms to the main entrance of the basilica.
The coffin was placed in front of the altar of confession, the central point of the São Pedro Basilica, where the visitation to the public was started. The ceremony was reading the Gospel according to John (17: 24-26), in Latin, and was attended by Brazilian monsignor Marcos Pavan, ruler of the Sistine Chapel Choir, who led the songs.
See images of the procession:
Pavan, born in São Paulo and appointed to the position in 2020 by Francisco, governed litanies and sacred songs during the rite. The movement of the faithful is intense, with thousands waiting for their turn to pay the last honors to the first Latin American Pope.
The funeral extends until Saturday, when the funeral mass will be celebrated in St. Peter’s Square, presided by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals. The burial will be in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maior, in Rome, according to the desire of the Pontiff.
