Pope Francis funeral newest: Pontiff’s coffin arrives at St Peter’s Basilica with public viewings set to start
Pope Francis’s coffin has arrived at St Peter’s Basilica, where it will lie in state for public viewings for the next three days.
The solemn procession to the basilica marked the start of a three-day period for the faithful to pay their respects ahead of Saturday’s funeral mass. Pope Francis’ funeral mass will be held at 10am on Saturday in St Peter’s Square, the Vatican announced. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re will preside over the mass, joined by clergy from around the world.
World leaders, cardinals and crowds of pilgrims are expected to flock to the Vatican for Pope Francis’ funeral.
The Prince of Wales will join the likes of US president Donald Trump, Sir Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron and Volodymyr Zelensky to pay their respects to the pontiff, who died aged 88 on Monday.
He is said to have shown the first signs of sudden illness two hours before passing, according to the Vatican news outlet, which reported he made a gesture of farewell with his hand to his nurse before falling into a coma.
His death came after he was hospitalised with double pneumonia for several weeks in February, before he returned to the Vatican in mid-March to recover.
Live: Pope Francis’ coffin moved to St Peter’s Basilica for public viewing
Public queuing to see Pope lying in state
The public have started filing in to St Peter’s Basilica to see the Pope’s coffin.
Today is the first of three days of public viewing ahead of the funeral on Saturday.
In pictures: the Lithurgy of the Word
Why Francis will be first Pope buried outside Vatican in 120 years?
Pope Francis will be laid to rest in a location that reflects his humble approach to the grand office.
Breaking with tradition, the pontiff has chosen a burial site outside the Vatican – the first pope to do so in 120 years.
Justin Welby on his relationship with Pope Francis
Justin Welby has spoken about his relationship with the late Pope Francis, and the support he provided over the years.
“He was supremely relational – regardless of status – and he lived out his call for the shepherd to be close to the sheep.
“He saw those who sought, however poorly and fallibly, to follow Christ as brothers and sisters. Whether they were in prisons or palaces, slums or stadiums, made no difference.”
In pictures: Cardinals arrived to mourn Pope Francis
Liturgy concludes
A choir is singing to mark the end of the process, as Cardinal Camerlengo Kevin Farrell has finished the Liturgy of the Word.
Sections of the bible were also read, with occasional responses from the congregation, and the Lord’s Prayer sung in Latin.
Incense ‘purifies’ Pope’s body
Cardinal Kevin Farrell has sprinkled the late Pope’s body with holy water and purified it with incense.
The tradition references the birth of Christ where one of the three wise men gifted incense.
The cardinal will next read from the gospel.
Source: independent.co.uk
