Leaders from across the globe, including 50 presidents, prime ministers, and 10 monarchs, have descended on Rome to bid a solemn goodbye to Pope Francis. The funeral ceremony will be held at St. Peter’s Square on Saturday, April 26, amid an outpouring of mourning and respect.
India’s President Droupadi Murmu, former US President Donald Trump, and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky are among the distinguished guests paying homage. The Vatican confirmed that a total of 130 official delegations are participating in the historic farewell.
In a touching tribute to Pope Francis’s lifelong commitment to the marginalized, a group of the poor and destitute will have a special opportunity to pay their last respects. His final resting place will be within St. Mary Major Basilica, where a simple marble slab engraved with “Franciscus” will mark his grave.
The pontiff’s burial will reflect his personal wish for simplicity over grandeur, aligning with his humble nature and deep devotion to service. His coffin was sealed after lying in state at St. Peter’s Basilica, where thousands flocked for a final glimpse.
Meanwhile, preparations for the next chapter of the Catholic Church are quietly underway. The Vatican announced that the conclave to elect the next pope will commence after nine days of official mourning, likely starting on or after May 5.
With the eyes of the world turned toward the Vatican, Rome stands as a poignant symbol of unity, sorrow, and remembrance.
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