The mortal remains of Pope Francis have been transferred from the Casa Santa Marta to St. Peter’s Basilica, where his body will lie in state until his funeral on Saturday. The Rite of Translation of the body took place on Wednesday morning, led by the College of Cardinals.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, began the liturgical rite with a brief prayer for the soul of Pope Francis, thanking God for the late Pope’s 12-year ministry. The College of Cardinals then led the procession of the coffin through the Vatican’s Santa Marta Square and into St. Peter’s Square, where over 20,000 people had gathered to pay their respects.
The late Pope’s coffin was placed in front of the Altar of the Confession, and the choir chanted the Litany of the Saints in Latin for the repose of his soul. Cardinal Farrell led a brief Liturgy of the Word, and members of the College of Cardinals paid their respects to the late Pope Francis, followed by the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Basilica.
The Funeral Mass for Pope Francis will be held in St. Peter’s Square on Saturday, April 26, at 10 AM, presided by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals. After the Mass, the late Pope’s body will be taken into St. Peter’s Basilica and then to the Basilica of St. Mary Major, where he will be buried.
The Basilica will remain open until midnight on Wednesday, from 7 AM to midnight on Thursday, and from 7 AM to 7 PM on Friday. Due to the large number of faithful wishing to pay homage, the Press Office has not ruled out extending the opening hours beyond midnight.