The Catholics of the world will say goodbye to Pope Francis during his funeral on Place Saint-Pierre du Vatican on Saturday morning.
Francis died on Easter Monday at the age of 88 after a papacy of 12 years.
Tens of thousands of people are expected to attend the funeral, as well as dozens of world leaders, including American president Donald Trump, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Prince William, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and several members of the European Royal Family. The leaders of Italy, France, Germany and the Natal Nation of Argentina also confirmed their presence.
Governor-General Mary Simon will represent Canada during the funeral, confirmed the Prime Minister’s office, given the current federal electoral campaign which is expected to end on Monday.
In total, the Vatican says that he expects delegations of at least 130 countries and international organizations.
The funeral starts at 4:00 a.m. on Saturday, Eastern time (0800 GMT). Global News will broadcast the live event online.
Francis had been lying in a simple wooden coffin inside the Saint-Pierre basilica for days, where the Vatican says that more than 250,000 people have paid tribute. His coffin was sealed Friday evening after a last day of public viewing.
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He will then be buriedAccording to his will, in a simple underground grave at the St. Mary Major basilica. The tomb was made out of the marble of the Italian region of the Liguria, the Maison des Grandparents de Francis, The Vatican said.
Security has been reinforced through Rome and the Vatican to manage the big crowds queuing to see Francis’ body and prepare for high -level funeral.
Francis, who suffered from a chronic pulmonary disease and had a part of a lung withdrawn as a young man, was admitted to the Gemelli Hospital in Rome on February 14 for a respiratory crisis which turned into a double pneumonia.
He spent 38 days there, the longest hospitalization of his papacy, but finally returned to the Vatican on March 23. He resumed his duties on a limited basis and met world leaders, including US vice-president JD Vance, in the days preceding his death.
A conclave to choose the new Pope should not start before May 6, after a period of mourning. Cardinals who are now gathering in Rome will decide the date after often prolonged discussions.
Some 135 cardinals are eligible to participate in the secret conclave, which can extend over the days before the white smoke poured out from the sixtine chapel chimney, tells the world that a new pope has been chosen.
– with files from the Associated Press and Reuters
& Copy 2025 Global News, A Division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
