Funeral will extend until April 26, when the Mass of Exequias will be held, followed by the burial in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, according to the desire of the Pontiff
The body of the body was transferred to the Basilica of St. Peter, at the public wake that began on Wednesday (23). The ceremony was open to the public at 11 am, 6 hours in Brasilia, and attracted a large amount of faithful who organized themselves on long lines to pay their latest honors to the leader of the Catholic Church, who died at the age of 88 on April 21. Earlier, at 9 am (4 hours from Brasilia), a procession of cardinals, bishops and priests, departed from Santa Marta, where he lived, and transferred the body to the Basilica, in front of the altar of confession, work of Italian artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
The coffin was positioned in front of the confession altar, and the Vatican expected a number of visitors to Pope Benedict XVI’s wake, gathered about 200,000 people. During the procession, the Sistine Chapel Choir sang antiphones and psalms, creating a solemn environment. Cardinal Kevin Farrell was responsible for presiding over the ceremony, which respected Pope Francis’ desire from a simpler rite without the use of a high business. The casket, which was open, was made of wood and zinc, and contained the Pope’s body dressed in a red chasu and a white miter, as well as a rosary in his hands. The public funeral will extend until April 26, when the Mass of Exequias will be held, followed by the burial in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, according to the desires expressed by Francis.
*Report produced with the aid of AI
Posted by Luisa Dos Santos
