The switch of Pope Francis’ coffin to St. Peter’s Basilica started at 9 a.m. native time at this time, April 23, following a prayer ceremony within the chapel of Casa Santa Marta.
The doorways of St. Peter’s Basilica opened at 11 a.m. native time (5 a.m. ET) for the general public, permitting greater than 20,000 devoted gathered in St. Peter’s Sq. to pay their remaining respects to Pope Francis on Wednesday.
The late pontiff’s coffin rests earlier than the altar on a modest wood platform, positioned virtually at floor degree.
Pilgrims are pausing to hope for a couple of moments earlier than transferring on, in a solemn procession that may proceed till the pope’s burial at St. Mary Main Basilica following Saturday’s funeral Mass, which can be celebrated by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
The physique of Pope Francis is now in St. Peter’s Basilica. The solemn switch of the coffin from Casa Santa Marta came about in St. Peter’s Sq.. pic.twitter.com/efIxBfl3Wf
— EWTN Vatican (@EWTNVatican) April 23, 2025
The Vatican “sediari” — the identical bearers who in previous centuries carried the transportable papal throne — transported the coffin on their shoulders to St. Peter’s Sq., accompanied by cardinals at present current in Rome.
From Casa Santa Marta to the Vatican Basilica, the procession was marked by seen emotion amongst onlookers. Some couldn’t maintain again tears as they adopted in respectful silence the ultimate journey of the “pope of the peripheries.”
On Friday at 8 p.m. native time, Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, in his position as camerlengo of Holy Roman Church, will preside over the ceremony of closing of the coffin of the Roman Pontiff Francis.
About The Author
