By Giselda Vagnoni
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – The funeral of Pope Francis, who died this week at the age of 88, takes place on Saturday in St. Peter’s Square. Here is a guide to how events are expected to unfold:
WHO IS ATTENDING?
More than 200,000 people are expected to attend the ceremony in the vast square in front of St. Peter’s Basilica. So far, around 50 heads of state have been confirmed as attending, including U.S. President Donald Trump and 10 reigning monarchs.
Leaders from Italy, France, Germany, Britain, Ukraine, Brazil, EU institutions and Francis’ home nation of Argentina have also confirmed their presence.
CLOSING OF THE COFFIN
On Friday evening, at the end of his lying-in-state in St. Peter’s Basilica, Francis’ coffin will be sealed in a private ceremony led by eight Catholic cardinals.
The pope’s face will be covered with a white silk veil and his body sprinkled with holy water.
Papal items such as coins and medals that were minted during his pontificate will be placed into the casket. A special deed listing the key points of his 12-year papacy will also be placed in the casket.
Francis asked to be buried in a simple zinc-lined wooden coffin, unlike his predecessors who were buried in three interlocking caskets made of cypress, lead and oak.
LEADING THE FUNERAL MASS
On Saturday morning, the pope’s coffin will be taken out of the basilica and into the public square for the funeral. The funeral Mass is due to start at 10 a.m. (0800 GMT) with a choir singing introductory rites in Latin.
Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re will deliver the homily and lead the Mass, which is expected to be con-celebrated by 220 cardinals and 750 bishops and priests.
At the funeral of Pope John Paul II in 2005, the sermon was delivered by German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who would be elected 11 days later as Pope Benedict XVI.
Re cannot enter the conclave that will elect Francis’ successor as he is 91 years old, and he is not a papal contender. But Vatican-watchers believe he may still try to provide a guide for his fellow cardinals to follow.
THE FINAL WORDS
One prayer at the Mass will include petitions to God for all people and nations “to persevere in seeking the path of peace”.
In the “Final Commendation and Farewell”, Re will commend the pope’s soul to God and ask for consolation for the 1.4 billion member Roman Catholic Church.
Near the end of the Mass, Re will say in Latin: “O God, faithful rewarder of souls, grant that your departed servant and our Bishops, Pope Francis, whom you made successor of Peter and shepherd of your Church, may happily enjoy forever in your presence in heaven the mysteries of your grace and compassion, which he faithfully ministered on earth.”
Re will then sprinkle the coffin with holy water and incense.
At the end of the Mass, the choir will sing in Latin: “May the angels lead you into paradise; may the martyrs come and welcome you and take you into the holy city, the new and eternal Jerusalem.”
BURIAL
Francis will then be buried according to his wishes in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore (St. Mary Major), to which he had a special devotion. The last pope to be buried outside the Vatican was Leo XIII, who died in 1903.
The funeral cortege will travel to the basilica from St. Peter’s at walking pace. Crowds are expected to gather along the route, which is about 5.5 km (3.4 miles) long and will pass by many of Rome’s famed monuments, including the Colosseum.
A group of poor people will be present on the steps leading to Mary Major to pay their final respects to Francis, reflecting his devotion to serving the poor and oppressed during his reign.
The burial will be a private service, but visitors to the tomb will be allowed shortly afterwards. The tomb will be inscribed only with the Latin name for Francis, Franciscus.
WHAT NEXT?
The papal funeral marks the first of nine days of mourning for the global Church. Another Mass of mourning will be held in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday. That will be led by Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who is often viewed as a leading papal contender.
In coming days, the Vatican will announce the date for the start of the conclave that will choose Francis’ successor. This secret meeting of cardinals is unlikely to be before May 6.
(Reporting by Giselda Vagnoni; Additional reporting by Joshua McElwee; Editing by Frances Kerry)
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