Mourners from all walks of life have gathered at St. Peter’s Square this morning for the funeral Mass of Pope Francis, the 266th Roman Pontiff, who passed away earlier this week.
The solemn ceremony to be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, marks the beginning of the Novemdiales — nine consecutive days of mourning and Masses in honour of the late Pope, as prescribed by the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis.
Pope Francis’s wooden and zinc coffin, sealed on Friday evening, has been reverently placed on the forecourt of St. Peter’s Basilica, just in front of the main altar. Facing the vast assembly, the coffin sits as hundreds of thousands, from all walks of life and every corner of the world, stand united in prayer, reflection, and final farewell.
In attendance are approximately 250 cardinals, countless bishops, priests, religious brothers and sisters. Patriarchs and cardinals are easily distinguishable in their purple liturgical garments and white damask mitres, while bishops wear plain white mitres.
The Mass will include readings from the Acts of the Apostles, the Letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians, and the Gospel according to John. The homily, prepared by the Dean of the College of Cardinals, will be followed by prayers of the faithful in French, Arabic, Portuguese, Polish, German, and Chinese, before the Eucharistic liturgy, Holy Communion, and the Rite of Final Commendation.
The celebration will be accompanied by the Choir of the Sistine Chapel, singing for Francis one last time.
In accordance with the spiritual testament of the Bishop of Rome, the coffin will then be transported to the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major. The funeral procession will cover a distance of about four kilometres through the streets of the capital at a slow pace.
This journey will allow Romans to bid farewell to their Bishop along a path he often took to pray before the icon of the Virgin Salus Populi Romani before and after each of his 47 apostolic journeys, and even recently after his hospital stays in February and March.
Upon arriving at the Liberian Basilica, still accompanied by the Sistine Chapel choir alternating antiphons and psalms, the coffin will be welcomed by “the last ones,” a group of poor and marginalised people who always had a special place in Pope Francis’ heart. They will be the ones to give the final tribute before the coffin is carried to the altar of Saint Mary Major. The burial will take place privately.
The Cardinal Camerlengo, Kevin Farrell, will mark the pontifical coffin with his seal, along with those of the Prefecture of the Papal Household, the Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff, and the Liberian Chapter.
The remains of the Successor of Peter will be laid in the tomb and sprinkled with holy water. After the Regina Cæli prayer, the notary of the Liberian Chapter will draw up the official act confirming the burial and will read it aloud to those present. The act will be signed by the Camerlengo Cardinal, the Regent of the Papal Household, the Master of Papal Liturgical Celebrations, and finally the notary.
The ceremony is expected to end around 2:00 PM.
Pope Francis’ funeral Mass will be broadcast worldwide. It will also be available with an English commentary on our website vaticannews.va/en on the Vatican Media Facebook page, and the Vatican Media YouTube channel.
Delegations from at least 130 countries and international organisations are expected, including 12 reigning monarchs and 55 heads of State, 14 heads of Government, and other high officials. More than 4,000 journalists have requested accreditation from the Holy See to cover the event.
Watch a playback of the funeral mass below:
By: Ekow Annan/newsalertgh.com
