Off The Record
Pope Francis’ Funeral Date Confirmed — Public Pays Respects As Body Lies In State
Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church, died this week at the age of 88, and a funeral date has been chosen.
Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who was elected pope Francis, died in his Vatican quarters on Monday, April 21, at 7.35 a.m. local time. It was revealed that he died after a brain stroke that caused permanent heart failure and a coma.
The pope’s burial is scheduled for Saturday, April 26, at 4 a.m. ET, after the cardinals met at the Vatican. The beginning of nine days of grief will begin today.
The announcement coincided with the release of the first pictures of the deceased pope.
The 88-year-old, who passed away on Easter Monday, was seen with rosary beads placed across his hands while lying in a red-clad wooden coffin.
It has been announced that starting Wednesday morning, Francis’s body will be on display at St. Peter’s Basilica for the people to pay their respects.
The funeral arrangements for Francis have already been finalized; the dean of the College of Cardinals will perform mass at 10 a.m. local time.
He made explicit demands for his last resting site in his will and testament, which was made public on June 29, 2022.
“Feeling that the sunset of my earthly life is approaching and with lively hope in Eternal Life, I wish to express my testamentary will only with regard to the place of my burial,” it stated.
Pope Francis deviated from custom by refusing to be buried in the Vatican.
It continued in part: “I have always entrusted my life and my priestly and episcopal ministry to the Mother of Our Lord, Mary Most Holy.”
“Therefore, I ask that my mortal remains rest awaiting the day of resurrection in the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.”
“I wish that my last earthly journey conclude precisely in this ancient Marian sanctuary where I went for prayer at the beginning and end of each Apostolic Journey to confidently entrust my intentions to the Immaculate Mother and thank Her for her docile and maternal care.”
“I ask that my tomb be prepared in the niche of the side nave between the Pauline Chapel (Chapel of the Salus Populi Romani) and the Sforza Chapel of the aforementioned Papal Basilica as indicated in the enclosed attachment.”
“The tomb must be in the earth; simple, without particular decoration and with the only inscription: Franciscus.”
Indeed, Pope Francis has asked that, in contrast to previous popes, his tombstone not state that he led the Catholic Church for 12 years.
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