Zuko Komisa

The Vatican has released the first images of Pope Francis lying in a simple wooden coffin, dressed in red liturgical vestments, with a bishop’s mitre and a rosary.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, was seen praying over the late Pontiff.
The images were taken in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta, where Pope Francis passed away on Monday, 21 April 2025 at the age of 88, following complications from a stroke and heart failure.
Cardinal Camerlengo Kevin Farrell presides over the rite of the ascertainment of death and the placement of the late Pope Francis' body in the coffin, which took place on Monday evening in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta. pic.twitter.com/63aPKTW9nD
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) April 22, 2025
The Vatican has confirmed that the funeral service for Pope Francis will be held on Saturday, 26 April 202, in St. Peter’s Square.
The Dean of the College of Cardinals will conduct the service, which is expected to be attended by global dignitaries and faithful from around the world.
The body of the late Pope Francis will be transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday at 9:00 AM to lie in state until his funeral on Saturday morning at 10:00 AM.
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) April 22, 2025
The Holy See Press Office announced on Tuesday that Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of… pic.twitter.com/ObGjYl7Bi7
Prior to the funeral, the Pope’s body will be moved to St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday for public viewing, allowing the faithful to pay their respects. The funeral mass on Saturday will be followed by the Ultima commendatio and the Valedictio, marking the beginning of the Novemdiales, nine days of mourning.
Pope Francis, the first Pope from Latin America, led the Catholic Church since 2013, advocating for the poor and seeking to bridge divides globally.
He requested to be buried at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome, a departure from the traditional burial site at St. Peter’s Basilica.
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