Cardinals Gather to Plan Pope’s Funeral Following His Passing
Cardinals are set to convene on Tuesday for the first time since the passing of Pope Francis to finalize the arrangements for his funeral. The gathering, scheduled to take place at 8 am BST (9 am local time) in Rome, will mark the beginning of the planning process, as reported by the BBC.
The eyes of the world are on Vatican City following the death of the 88-year-old pontiff on Easter Monday. Among the decisions to be made by the assembled cardinals is when the Pope’s body will be transferred to St Peter’s Basilica to allow the public to pay their last respects before his burial.
Matteo Bruni, the Director of the Holy See Press Office, mentioned that the transfer to St Peter’s Basilica could potentially take place as early as Wednesday morning. The Vatican confirmed that Pope Francis had passed away following a cerebral stroke that resulted in a coma and irreversible heart failure.
Across the globe, tributes poured in for the late Pope, with leaders such as the King and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer commending his dedication to the marginalized. The King, who had met Pope Francis recently, described him as someone who had profoundly impacted many lives.
The customary procedures following the Pope’s death have begun, with Cardinal Kevin Farrell, also known as the camerlengo, officially certifying the death and overseeing the administrative and financial duties until a new pope is elected. This transition period, known as “sede vacante” or “the vacant See,” is a prelude to the gathering of cardinals in the Sistine Chapel for the conclave.
The Pope’s body will lie in state in the chapel for several days before being moved to St Peter’s Basilica for public viewing, as per the rites approved by Francis last year. The Vatican anticipates that the public will be able to start paying their respects from Wednesday onwards.
While the exact date of the funeral is yet to be confirmed, it must be held between four to six days after the Pope’s passing and will be announced following the cardinal’s meeting on Tuesday. Notably, US President Donald Trump shared intentions on social media that he and the First Lady plan to attend the funeral.
Following the funeral, a period of nine days of official mourning, known as the “novendiali,” will be observed. The conclave to elect the new pope must commence 15 to 20 days after the sede vacante is declared, with participation from eligible cardinals under 80 years of age.
Cardinals Vincent Nichols and Timothy Radcliffe are among those set to partake in the conclave to elect the next pope. Both just under 80 years old, they emphasized the importance of qualities such as inner strength and peace in the forthcoming pontiff.
As the world awaits the outcome of the conclave, the process serves as a reminder of the traditions and rituals that define the papal succession. The anticipation builds as the Church enters a transition period, preparing to welcome a new shepherd to guide the Catholic faithful.
In a time of reflection and mourning, the focus remains on honoring the legacy of Pope Francis while looking towards the future and the new chapter that awaits the Catholic Church.
This is a standard procedure that has been followed for centuries in the event of a Pope’s passing, ensuring a smooth transition of leadership within the Catholic Church.