Condolences throughout the world for the death of Pope Francis ( ALL ARTICLES ), who died yesterday morning from a stroke which was followed – as stated in the medical certificate – by a cardiocirculatory arrest . In his will ( READ ), written in 2022, Bergoglio left as his last wish that he be buried in the bare earth, in Santa Maria Maggiore , with the tomb financed by an anonymous benefactor.
Pope Francis was 88 years old and was elected to the Pontificate, after the resignation of Benedict XVI, on March 13, 2013. He was the second oldest Pope ever, having made 47 trips to 66 countries.
The funeral will be held on Saturday 26 April at 10 am , while between 6 and 10 May the conclave will open to elect the successor : there are 135 cardinals with the right to vote, 108 of whom were created by Bergoglio himself.
On Tuesday morning , the body of the pontiff was placed in the coffin at the Chapel of Santa Marta, with a rosary in his hands, dressed in the red chasuble, the pallium and the white miter on his head. From Wednesday, the coffin will be taken from the Chapel to the Papal Basilica of St. Peter , as provided for in the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis.
THE DAY LIVE:
- The prefect: giant screens for funerals
"For the Pope's funeral there will be maxi screens along via della Conciliazione, in piazza Pia and piazza Risorgimento". This was stated by the prefect of Rome, Lamberto Giannini, at the end of the Provincial Committee for Public Order and Security. "Then as we go forward - he added - if we perceive an even greater number of people, others will be positioned".
- Two hundred thousand expected for the funeral: Rome prepares
More than one hundred delegations, including heads of state and government, will converge on St. Peter's Square on Saturday along with over two hundred thousand faithful. Rome is preparing to bid a final farewell to Pope Francis with an impressive security device: the security machine called upon to manage yet another test in the capital was set in motion on Easter Monday morning, as soon as the news of Bergoglio's death arrived, but the measures will be further intensified starting Wednesday, when Francis' body will be laid to rest in St. Peter's, and will reach their peak on the day of the funeral. To finalize every detail, a double summit was held at the prefecture. A National Committee for Order and Security chaired by Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi and followed by the Provincial Committee chaired by Prefect Lamberto Giannini. "We have started this great commitment for public safety profiles, a very demanding event because it sees the concomitance of the Pope's funeral, the celebrations of April 25 and the Jubilee events already scheduled" said the head of the Viminale, explaining that the security devices are being calibrated for a "maximum framework" of 170 delegations, including heads of state and government. In the morning there was also an operational inspection in St. Peter's Square in which the police and all the entities involved participated. Under the lens, in particular, the management of the arrival and departure of the authorities and the deployment of emergency vehicles. A no-fly zone has already been implemented in Rome while the area of St. Peter's Square will be super-locked on Saturday, with preventive cleanups also in the subsoil. Snipers, bomb squads, dog units from the various police forces, river police to patrol the Tiber and the docks, and Nbcr firefighter units to counter the nuclear, bacteriological, chemical and radiological threat will be deployed. To access St. Peter's Square there will be checkpoints manned by metal detectors and the anti-drone devices supplied to the armed forces will also be deployed.
- The Rosary in St. Peter's Square
In the evening, a rosary in St. Peter's Square in memory of Pope Francis led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals. In the churchyard, an icon of the Madonna with child. "We want to thank the Lord for the gifts he has given to the entire church with the apostolic ministry of Pope Francis," Re emphasized in opening the moment of prayer. The faithful filled the chairs in front of the basilica, some decided to follow the rosary standing, at the sides of the basilica or near the obelisk, while people, both lay and religious, continue to arrive. "He was a man of mercy, of infinite goodness," Sister Pierangela says in a faint voice, before starting to recite the rosary. Jordan and Mary feel "lost." "We are here for Pope Francis," they say.
- The silence of Israel
Israel has had official condolence posts on X of its embassies around the world deleted. The deleted text read: "Rest in peace, Pope Francis. May his memory be a blessing." The Foreign Ministry explained that it was a reaction "to the Pope's words against Israel during his lifetime." Yesterday, Prime Minister Netanyahu was one of the few world leaders to remain silent on Bergoglio's death.
- The Council of Ministers: sobriety for April 25th
The Council of Ministers, on the proposal of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, following the death of Pope Francis, has ordered for the five days of national mourning, the invitation to carry out all public demonstrations in a sober manner and appropriate to the occasion.
This was reported in the press release from Palazzo Chigi at the end of the meeting. Therefore, the reference is also to the occasion of April 25, Liberation Day, which falls on Friday. Among the provisions, also "the invitation to postpone sporting or entertainment events scheduled for the day of the funeral", that is, Saturday.
A minute of silence was also decided at 10 a.m. on Saturday, the day of Pope Francis' funeral, in offices and public schools of all levels, if open, or on the first day of opening after the funeral.
- Prince William also at the funeral
Prince William will attend Pope Francis' funeral in Rome on Saturday on behalf of King Charles III, Kensington Palace has announced.
- Homage to the coffin, the times
At the end of the rite of the Translation of the coffin of the deceased Pontiff to St. Peter's, which will take place at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, April 23, the Basilica will remain open to the faithful who wish to visit the Pope's body at the following times: Wednesday, April 23, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Thursday, April 24, 7 a.m.-12 a.m. Friday, April 25, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. This was communicated by the Holy See Press Office.
- Msgr. Scherer: «Possible surprises from the Conclave»
"The outcome of the Conclave could bring some surprises. Pope Francis was a surprise, he was not expected." This is the opinion of the Archbishop of Sao Paulo, Cardinal Odilo Scherer, who does not rule out an African or Asian Pontiff. "I would not be surprised if the new Pope came from a continent other than Europe or America. The Catholic Church is for the whole world," added Scherer.
- The Spanish royals also in Rome
Spanish monarchs Felipe VI and Letizia will attend Pope Francis' funeral on Saturday, leading the Spanish delegation to Rome, the King's House confirmed. Felipe VI and Letizia, along with Queen Emeritus Sofia, signed the book of condolences today at the Vatican Nunciature in Madrid.
- Starmer: «I will attend the funeral»
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will attend Pope Francis' funeral in Rome on Saturday, his spokesman said.
- Musumeci: «Matches suspended on Saturday»
"Saturday's games are suspended." This was stated by the Minister for Civil Protection and Maritime Policies Nello Musumeci, responding to those who asked him whether the football championship and other sporting events will also be suspended during the five days of national mourning for the death of Pope Francis, proclaimed by the Council of Ministers.
- Italy, 5 days of national mourning
Five days of national mourning for Pope Francis. This is what the government has decided. The decision was approved by the Council of Ministers. The measure comes into effect immediately. Until Saturday 26 - therefore also on April 25, Liberation Day - the flags of public buildings will remain at half-mast.
- Von der Leyen also in the Capital on Saturday
According to sources within the European executive, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will attend the funeral of Pope Francis scheduled for Saturday morning.
- Putin will not be present at the funeral
Russian President Vladimir Putin "has no intention of attending" the funeral of Pope Francis, spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, quoted by Tass.
- Sixty cardinals at the first congregation
About 60 cardinals have already arrived in Rome for the first congregation after the death of Pope Francis. The second congregation will be held tomorrow afternoon at 5:00 p.m., considering that the ceremony for the transfer of the Pope's body from Santa Marta to St. Peter's Basilica will take place in the morning. The Vatican press office reported.
- Francis, the last phone call to Gaza on Saturday
"Pope Francis called us last Saturday and as always he showed his closeness, his blessing, his prayer for peace. It was the last time we heard from him." This was told by the parish priest of Gaza, Gabriel Romanelli. He adds: "For the parish of Gaza it is a very painful moment and even the Orthodox and Muslims came to give us their condolences."
- The solemn funeral on Saturday at 10am
Official statement from the Holy See: «On Saturday 26 April, at 10 a.m., the first day of the Novendiali, the Funeral Mass for Pope Francis will be celebrated in front of St. Peter's Basilica. The Funeral Liturgy will be presided over by His Eminence Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals».
- The Chinese government's "condolences"
China has also expressed "its condolences" for the death of Pope Francis. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reports. The news of the pontiff's death immediately went viral on Chinese social media, the most searched for ever for over 17 hours.
- Even the greats of the Earth attend the funeral
First confirmations on the participation of Heads of State and Government at the funeral of the Pontiff: among others, US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron and also the leader of Kiev Volodymyr Zelensky are expected in Rome.
- UNDER CONSTRUCTION -
(Online Union)