Following his death on Monday (21 April), the body of Pope Francis has been lying in state at the Vatican City.
The public viewing will come to an end tonight (25 April) at St Peter’s Basilica as his funeral is set to take place tomorrow (26 April).
Thousands of people have visited the Vatican this week in order to pay their respects, and it's expected that up to 200,000 mourners will also attend tomorrow.
It is also likely that there will be over 130 foreign delegates at the funeral, including Prince William, Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
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The Pope expressed his wishes for his burial before his death and requested several changes to tradition, including opting for a simplified zinc coffin, inside a wooden casket. Wanting it to be ‘simple’, he will also have items buried with him.
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Having previously expressed his desire to be laid to rest there, Pope Francis will be buried at the church of Santa Maria Maggiore.
He said in his final testament: “I wish my final earthly journey to end precisely in this ancient Marian sanctuary, where I would always stop to pray at the beginning and end of every Apostolic Journey, confidently entrusting my intentions to the Immaculate Mother, and giving thanks for her gentle and maternal care.”
Ahead of the funeral tomorrow, the Pope’s body will be blessed with holy water and a white silk cloth placed over his face tonight.
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Then, before the coffin is sealed, a small bag of coins minted during his 12 years as Pope will be placed inside with him.
He will also be buried with a metal tube containing documents and a papal biography.
This one-page account will be read aloud by the master of liturgical ceremonies before it is placed inside.
Known for being a ‘humble’ man and leader, this has been echoed throughout his wishes and in what is expected to take place tomorrow, as he described established Vatican funeral rites as ‘too elaborate’.
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In his final testament, the Pope added: “The tomb should be in the ground; simple, without particular ornamentation, bearing only the inscription: Franciscus.”
With the instructions given for his burial and explanation of being entrusted to the Virgin Mary, he concluded: “May the Lord grant a fitting reward to all those who have loved me and who continue to pray for me. The suffering that has marked the final part of my life, I offer to the Lord, for peace in the world and for fraternity among peoples.”
Topics: Pope Francis, Religion, World News
Jess Battison