A date for Pope Francis’ funeral has been arranged following his death at the age of 88 earlier this week.
Jorge Mario Bergoglio, known as Pope Francis, passed away in his Vatican quarters at 7:35 a.m. local time on Monday (April 21). The cause of death was a cerebral stroke, leading to a coma and irreversible heart failure.
After a gathering of the cardinals at the Vatican, it was decided that the pope’s funeral would occur on Saturday (April 26) at 4 a.m. ET. This event will commence nine days of mourning.
The announcement came along with the release of the first images of the deceased pontiff.
The 88-year-old, who passed on Easter Monday, was shown lying in a wooden coffin, dressed in red, with rosary beads placed across his hands.
Pope Francis’s body will be available for public viewing in St Peter’s Basilica starting Wednesday morning, allowing people to pay their respects.
Funeral arrangements for Francis have been confirmed, with a mass scheduled for 10 a.m. local time, conducted by the dean of the College of Cardinals.
Additionally, his will and testament, dated June 29, 2022, have been disclosed, highlighting specific desires regarding his burial site.
“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 stated.
In a departure from tradition, Pope Francis opted not to be interred within the Vatican.
The document further expressed: “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.”
Notably, Pope Francis has requested that his tombstone omit any mention of his 12-year tenure as the leader of the Catholic Church, a contrast to the tradition followed by previous popes.