Pope Francis died Monday at 88 years old from a stroke and a heart attack. Catholic leaders decided his funeral will happen on Saturday in St Peter's Square. Many world leaders plan to attend the service for the first Latin American pope, who often disagreed with conservatives and stood up for poor people. The pope had been sick with pneumonia earlier this year but seemed to feel better after returning to the Vatican about a month ago.
The Vatican showed pictures of Francis lying in a wooden coffin inside the Santa Marta residence chapel, where he lived during his 12-year leadership. Cardinals will lead a procession Wednesday morning, taking his body into St Peter's Basilica, where people can say goodbye. President Donald Trump will travel to Rome despite past arguments with the pope about immigration issues. Other important visitors include the presidents of Argentina, Brazil, and Ukraine.
Francis wrote in his final wishes that he wants to be buried at Saint Mary Major Basilica instead of St Peter's, where most previous popes rest. He passed away suddenly after appearing in public on Easter Sunday. His health had improved enough for him to participate in recent church activities before his unexpected death.
The Vatican showed pictures of Francis lying in a wooden coffin inside the Santa Marta residence chapel, where he lived during his 12-year leadership. Cardinals will lead a procession Wednesday morning, taking his body into St Peter's Basilica, where people can say goodbye. President Donald Trump will travel to Rome despite past arguments with the pope about immigration issues. Other important visitors include the presidents of Argentina, Brazil, and Ukraine.
Francis wrote in his final wishes that he wants to be buried at Saint Mary Major Basilica instead of St Peter's, where most previous popes rest. He passed away suddenly after appearing in public on Easter Sunday. His health had improved enough for him to participate in recent church activities before his unexpected death.
