Cardinals are set to convene a meeting on Tuesday in the Vatican to plan Pope Francis’ funeral, with world leaders, including Donald Trump, due to attend the ceremony.
Pope Francis, 88, died following a stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure, the Vatican has said.
In his final testament, the pontiff expressed the wish to be buried at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome and not at St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican like many previous pontiffs.
The will specified that Francis wanted to be buried “in the ground, without particular decoration”, but with the inscription of his papal name in Latin: Franciscus.
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King Charles of the United Kingdom and President Trump led the tributes for the 88-year-old, who was the head of the Roman Catholic Church for 12 years.
The pope was hospitalised for several weeks in February, after suffering from a bout of double pneumonia. He returned to the Vatican in mid-March to recover.
Pope Francis, originally from Argentina and the first pope from Latin America, led the 1.4 billion-member church since 2013.
What can we expect from today’s meeting of cardinals?
Cardinals have begun arriving at the gate of Sant’Uffizio to make initial arrangements in preparation for Pope Francis’s funeral, as well as the conclave to select his successor.
At this first summit, only the most urgent decisions will be made, such as:
- When the Pope’s body will be moved to St Peter’s Basilica to be exposed “for the homage of the faithful”
- The date and time of the funeral – according to the apostolic constitution, it should take place between “the fourth and sixth day after death”. That would put the date of the funeral between Friday 25 April and Sunday 27 April, with multiple Italian outlets reporting the service is likely to take place on the Saturday
- Where the 135 cardinals travelling to the Vatican to take part in the conclave will be lodged – usually the House of St Martha
- Discuss funeral expenses and any preparations Francis had requested for his funeral
- When the conclave will be held where the next pope will be selected
Pontiff’s final wishes and place of burial
Pope Francis has decreed in his will that he be buried in a simple underground tomb in St Mary Major Basilica.
The will specified the late pontiff wanted to be buried “in the ground, without particular decoration” but with the inscription of his papal name in Latin: Franciscus.
In his final testament, the pope expressed his wish to be buried in Rome, and not at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican like many previous pontiffs.
Anonymous benefactor to pay for funeral
An anonymous benefactor will pay for the cost of Pope Francis’s funeral, the Vatican has said.
“The expenses for the preparation of my burial will be covered by the sum of the benefactor that I have arranged,” Francis’s will says.
Cardinals will meet on Tuesday morning for the first time since the Pope died to confirm the details of his funeral.
Those currently in Rome have been invited to meet at 8am BST (9am local time) to commence planning, according to the BBC.
India declares three days of mourning
The Indian flag flew at half-staff on Tuesday at all government buildings as the country observed three days of mourning as a mark of respect for Pope Francis.
The Indian flag will be flown at half-mast on government buildings across the country for the next two days, as well as on the day of the pontiff’s funeral, the Home Ministry said in a statement.
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