A date has been set for Pope Francis' funeral, with the leader of the Catholic Church having passed away at the age of 88 this week.
On Monday (April 21), at 7.35am local time, Jorge Mario Bergoglio - who chose the name Francis upon his election to papacy - passed away in his quarters in the Vatican, with his cause of death confirmed as a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure.
Following a meeting of the cardinals at the Vatican, the pope's funeral is set to take place on Saturday (April 26), at 4am ET. It will be the first of nine days of mourning.
The news came as the first images of the late pontiff were published.
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The 88-year-old, who died on Easter Monday, was pictured lying in a wooden coffin dressed in red, with rosary beads draped across his hands.
It has been confirmed that Francis’s body will be on display for the public to pay their respects in St Peter’s Basilica from Wednesday morning.
Details of Francis’ funeral have also been confirmed, with mass to take place at 10am local time, celebrated by the dean of the College of Cardinals.
It comes as his will and testament, which was dated June 29, 2022, was made public which includes specific requests regarding his final resting place.
"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 read.
In a break from tradition, Pope Francis chose not 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.”
Yes, Pope Francis has requested that his tombstone doesn’t mention that he served as the leader of the Catholic Church for 12 years, unlike others that have held papacy.
Topics: Pope Francis, Catholic Church, World News, Religion
Joe Yates