Rome woke up in mourning for the death of Pope Francis yesterday morning due to a stroke. The global news has gathered journalists from around the world in St. Peter's Square since early morning, ready to report in the coming days on Francis' funeral and the subsequent conclave to elect the next head of the Church, which will begin between May 5 and 10.
On Tuesday, in Rome, a first meeting of the cardinals took place where it was decided that the funeral will be on Saturday. The coffin will be transferred tomorrow, Wednesday, at 9:00 from the chapel of Santa Marta to St. Peter's Basilica, according to the provisions of the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis. "After the moment of prayer, presided over by His Eminence the Most Reverend Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, the transfer will begin," the Holy See reported.
The Pope entrusted the task of organizing his funeral to Archbishop Diego Ravelli, master of papal liturgical celebrations. "The funeral of the Roman Pontiff is that of a shepherd and disciple of Christ, not that of a powerful man of this world," explained Ravelli.
The procession will pass through St. Martha's Square and the Square of the Roman Protomartyrs; from the Bell Tower Arch, it will go to St. Peter's Square and enter the Vatican Basilica through the central door. At the Altar of the Confession, the Camerlengo Cardinal will preside over the Liturgy of the Word, after which the lying in state will begin.
This morning, the first images of the Pontiff were also published, showing him in a simple wooden coffin, dressed in red garments and his bishop's mitre, as he wished. Unlike previous Popes, the body is in the chapel of his residence at Santa Marta, where it will be viewed by the cardinals, the Pontiff's family, and other Vatican authorities. The person seen praying next to Francis' body in the distributed images is the Vatican's Secretary of State.
The austere residence of Santa Marta - where Francis chose to live since his election in 2013 instead of the traditional Apostolic Palace - is located next to St. Peter's Basilica, whose square was bustling today with police, journalists, faithful, religious, and newspaper vendors loudly offering the historic front page of Francis' death. Along via della Conciliazione leading to the square, countless groups of pilgrims from around the world carrying a cross and singing hymns were passing through until they reached the Holy Door.
Despite his wishes, the farewell to the spiritual leader of over 1.4 billion Catholics will bring together numerous foreign dignitaries, including Donald Trump, one of the first to confirm attendance, as well as Brazilian Lula da Silva and Emmanuel Macron. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also plans to attend.
Also on Tuesday, a Council of Ministers meeting is taking place at the Chigi Palace to declare three days of national mourning and to establish the organization of the already chaotic Rome, which will receive thousands of faithful in the coming days. The logistics will be handled by the head of Civil Protection, Fabio Ciciliano, as was the case in 2005 for the funeral of John Paul II.
Pope Francis died at the age of 88 at 7:35 on Easter Monday, as announced by the Vatican, after feeling unwell shortly after waking up at 6:00 in good health. His last public appearance was on Easter Sunday when he met with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and gave the Urbi et Orbi blessing.