The Vatican’s Department for Liturgical Celebrations has announced the details of Pope Francis’ funeral. The ceremony will follow the guidelines established in the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis, the document that governs the funeral rites of the Roman Pontiff.
On Wednesday (23rd) at 9 a.m. (local time), the Pope’s body will be transferred from the Chapel of the Casa Santa Marta to St. Peter’s Basilica. The procession of the casket will be preceded by a moment of prayer, presided over by Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church.
The faithful will be able to pay their final respects to the Pope on Wednesday, when the funeral rites will be open to the public.
On Saturday, at 10 a.m. (local time), the Funeral Mass will be celebrated, marking the first day of the Novendiali — the nine days of mourning and prayers in honor of the Pontiff. The ceremony will take place in the atrium of St. Peter’s Basilica and will be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals.
At the end of the Eucharistic celebration, the rites of the Ultima Commendatio and Valedictio — solemn farewells that mark the conclusion of the funeral — will be held. The Pope’s casket will then be taken back inside St. Peter’s Basilica and, from there, transferred to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, where the burial ceremony will take place.
Several heads of state and government have already officially announced their presence to pay tribute to Francis, including U.S. President Donald Trump and Brazilian President Lula.
Source: Agência Brasil
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