The Vatican will move Pope Francis to St Peter's Basilica on April 23, where people can pay their respects until his funeral on April 26. His body will leave Casa Santa Marta at 9 AM on Wednesday, with Cardinal Kevin Farrell leading the procession through several squares before entering the basilica's main door. Cardinal Farrell will lead a service at the Altar of Confession before public viewing begins. The Pope died Easter Monday morning at age 88 after months of health problems related to breathing issues.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re will lead the funeral Mass Saturday morning, and religious leaders from across the world will join him. The ceremony ends with final prayers, starting nine days of mourning for the Pope. His body will later move to St Mary Major Basilica for burial, as he requested. The Pope approved simpler funeral plans last year, focusing less on papal grandeur and more on Christian faith. Born in Argentina in 1936, Francis became the first Latin American pope when elected in 2013.
The Pope entered the hospital on February 14 with bronchitis and was diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs four days later. He spent 38 days hospitalized before returning to the Vatican. His health grew worse in early April despite medical treatment. When he died, he was resting in bed with close helpers nearby.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re will lead the funeral Mass Saturday morning, and religious leaders from across the world will join him. The ceremony ends with final prayers, starting nine days of mourning for the Pope. His body will later move to St Mary Major Basilica for burial, as he requested. The Pope approved simpler funeral plans last year, focusing less on papal grandeur and more on Christian faith. Born in Argentina in 1936, Francis became the first Latin American pope when elected in 2013.
The Pope entered the hospital on February 14 with bronchitis and was diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs four days later. He spent 38 days hospitalized before returning to the Vatican. His health grew worse in early April despite medical treatment. When he died, he was resting in bed with close helpers nearby.
