The funeral of Pope Francis will happen on Saturday morning, the Vatican has introduced.
Officers confirmed the service could be held in St Peter’s Sq. and start at 9am UK time (10am native time).
It comes after the 88-year-old died on Monday morning, with officers later saying he had suffered a stroke and coronary heart failure.
The liturgy for the funeral might be presided over by the dean of the school of cardinals, the Most Reverend Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re.
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The physique of Pope Francis is positioned in an open casket. Pic: Vatican Media/Handout/Reuters
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Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, left, prays in entrance of the physique of Francis. Pic: Vatican Media/Handout/AP
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Pope Francis in 2014. Pic: AP
Earlier on Tuesday, the primary photos of the Pope mendacity in state had been launched, exhibiting the late pontiff in his casket with the Vatican secretary of state praying over him.
The coffin is at the moment within the chapel of the Santa Marta residence, the place he lived throughout his 12-year papacy.
She described the environment as “so sadly impressive”, with among the pontiff’s closest aides round his physique in tears.
The Pope’s physique might be taken into the adjoining St Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday at 8am UK time, permitting individuals to pay their respects within the lead-up to the funeral.
In his closing testomony, the Pope outlined his request to be buried “in the ground, without particular ornamentation” however with the inscription “Franciscus”.
The pontiff mentioned he wished to be buried in Rome’s Basilica of Saint Mary Main, quite than at St Peter’s Basilica within the Vatican, the place many earlier pontiffs have been laid to relaxation.
