Pope Francis’ coffin transfer ceremony from his residence to St. Peter’s Basilica began on Wednesday (23). The pontiff will be veiled before its funeral on Saturday (26).
The procession on Wednesday begins with the body of the Pope being transferred from the chapel of the residence Casa Santa Marta, where he lived during his papacy.
The procession will pass through Santa Marta Square and the Roman Protomártires Square, passing through the arch of the bells and the Square of St. Peter, before entering the Basilica of St. Peter through the central door.
Prior to the procession, Camelngo Kevin Farrell, the cardinal in charge of organizing the papal funeral and the conclave, came a brief prayer in the chapel of Santa Marta house with an antiphon of hope.
In St. Peter’s Basilica, the Camerlengo will preside over the liturgy of the word. Soon after prayer the faithful will be able to pay their honors to the Pope.
The faithful will recite several religious verses, including Psalm 22, “the Lord is my pastor,” during the wake.
Participants will also recite the litany of saints and traditional Catholic prayers in memory of the dead during the liturgy.
Prayer must end with the Marian antiphon, a prayer to the Mother of Jesus, Mary.
At the end of the ceremony, the public will be able to pay their honors to the Pope, and body will be in a slow chamber in the Basilica of St. Peter for three days, until his funeral, on Saturday (26).
