The Vatican has carried out the first stage in the papal funeral rites for Pope Francis, who passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the camerlengo, presided over the “rite of the ascertainment of death and deposition in the coffin” in the chapel of Pope Francis’ Vatican residence, the Casa Santa Marta, on Monday evening.
During the rite, Farrell led prayers according to the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis, and the pope’s body was dressed in red liturgical vestments with the miter and pallium. The body was then placed in a simple wooden coffin with a zinc lining, and the paschal candle was lit nearby. Holy water was sprinkled on the body as part of the rite.
The pope’s remains will stay overnight in the chapel of Casa Santa Marta and may be brought to St. Peter’s Basilica for public exposition on the morning of April 23, pending confirmation from the Vatican. The College of Cardinals will meet on April 22 to make decisions regarding the running of the Vatican during the “sede vacante” period and to decide the date and time of Francis’ funeral and burial.
Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, led a rosary for Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square on the evening of April 21, attended by thousands of faithful. The Vatican has announced that the exact date and time for the public viewing of the pope’s remains will be confirmed on April 22.