Pope Francis newest: Tens of 1000’s of mourners view Pontiff’s open coffin at St Peter’s Basilica
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.
Cardinal misses conclave eligibility after just turning 80
Cardinal George Alencherry from India will not be eligible to help choose the next pope as he turned 80 on 19 April, two days before the Pope died.
Vatican rules bar cardinals over 80 from voting in the conclave, which is expected to start on 5 May.
This means 134 of the 135 cardinal electors are eligible to vote on the next pope.
In pictures: thousands pay respects to Pope Francis at St Peter’s
Keir Starmer pays tribute to Pope Francis’ ‘courage and leadership’
List of cardinals involved in burial released
The cardinals who will take part in the Pope’s burial on Saturday have been confirmed by the Vatican.
On the list was Pietro Parolin, who was close to Francis and is thought to be one of the likely options to be the next pope.
Roger Mahoney from the US was also on the list, but no British cardinals were included.
Italian cardinal Giovanni Battista Re was already publically known as he will preside over the mass.
Video: Mourners pay respects as thousands queue to view Pope’s open casket
How Francis used social media to craft his image as the ‘People’s Pope’
From papal selfies to the viral generative AI images featuring a stylish puffer jacket, Pope Francis became a prominent popular culture figure during his papacy.
News media called him the “People’s Pope”, branding that also circulated online on social media to turn Pope Francis into an icon who symbolised the progressive ideals of 2010s popular culture.
In pictures: mourners pray and cry for Pope Francis
Israel shared then quickly deleted condolences
The Israeli government swiftly deleted a social media post which gave condolences over Pope Francis’ death.
While The Jerusalem Post has linked it to the Pope’s criticism of the war in Gaza, no official reason was given.
The post originally read: “Rest in Peace, Pope Francis. May his memory be a blessing”, along with a picture of the Pope in Jerusalem.
The Independent have contacted the Israeli embassy in London and Israel’s Foreign Ministry. They have not yet responded.
If you’re just joining us: procession and Lithurgy re-capped
• The Pope’s Coffin was transferred from his Vatican residence to St Peter’s Basilica with a procession
• Each saint was called by song to pray for the late Pope
• The Liturgy of the Word, made of bible readings, then proceeded
• Cardinal Kevin Farrell sprinkled the late Pope’s body with holy water, purified it with incense then read from the gospel
• A choir sang to mark the end of the process
• Public have now started to view the body to pay respects
• Thousands of people filed into St Peter’s Square to pay their respects
• Public viewing will end on Friday and the coffin will be closed in a ceremony
Source: independent.co.uk
