Articles in this Cluster
24-04-2025
Tens of thousands of mourners have gathered at St Peter's Basilica in Rome to pay their respects to Pope Francis, whose body is on display in an open coffin. The Pope died on Monday at the age of 88 after suffering a stroke. The body was escorted to the basilica on Wednesday morning, with cardinals and priests in attendance, and will remain on display until Friday evening. Many people waited for hours to file past the coffin, with some traveling from abroad to say goodbye. The Pope's funeral will be held on Saturday, with dignitaries including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Prince William in attendance.
24-04-2025
Pope Francis has chosen the Santa Maria Maggiore church in Rome as his final resting place. The church, one of Rome's four major basilicas, is particularly significant to Francis due to its dedication to the Virgin Mary, to whom he is devoted. The Pope's decision to be buried there was revealed by the basilica's senior priest, Rolandas Makrickas, who said Francis told him in May 2022 that the Virgin Mary had instructed him to prepare his tomb there. Francis's tomb is located next to an icon of Mary, which he often prayed to before journeys. The church has been a frequent visit for Francis during his papacy, and thousands have flocked to pay their respects at the site of his future grave. On Saturday, Francis's body will be taken from the Vatican to Santa Maria Maggiore for burial after a period of lying in state.
24-04-2025
Pope Francis thanked his nurse for encouraging him to greet Easter crowds in St. Peter's Square, saying "Thank you for bringing me back to the square," according to the Vatican. The 88-year-old pontiff died on Monday morning from a stroke and heart failure after appearing exhausted during Easter celebrations despite medical orders to isolate. He spent about 15 minutes waving at the crowd and blessing babies from his popemobile before resting, and later fell into a coma and was declared dead at 7:35 a.m. The Vatican reported that Francis did not suffer and died peacefully. His funeral is set for Saturday at St. Peter's Basilica.
24-04-2025
Thousands of people began filing through St. Peter's Basilica to pay their final respects to Pope Francis on Wednesday, marking the start of three days of public viewing ahead of his funeral. The pope's open wooden casket was placed on the main altar, where he was laid out in red robes and a bishop's miter, clasping a rosary. Over 19,000 people paid their respects in the first 8.5 hours, and tens of thousands more are expected to visit in the coming days. The Vatican may extend viewing hours due to high turnout. The funeral is scheduled for Saturday, and will be attended by world leaders, including President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
24-04-2025
Pope Francis' body was transferred from his Vatican hotel residence to St. Peter's Basilica on Wednesday for a three-day public viewing before his funeral on Saturday. Catholic cardinals performed a ritual ceremony, and the pope's casket was escorted by a procession of cardinals and Swiss Guards through St. Peter's Square. The basilica will remain open until midnight on Wednesday and Thursday, and the public mourning period will end on Friday at 7 p.m. World leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, are expected to attend the funeral on Saturday. Francis died on Monday at 88 after suffering a stroke, and his papacy lasted 12 years.
24-04-2025
Pope Francis, the 266th pontiff of the Catholic Church, died on April 21, 2025, at 88 years old due to a stroke and cardiac arrest. His funeral is set to take place on April 26, 2025, at St. Peter's Square in Vatican City, with a Mass presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re. Pope Francis' body will lie in state at St. Peter's Basilica from April 23 to 25, allowing mourners to pay their respects. He had requested to be buried in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, with a simple tomb and the inscription "Franciscus." The Pope had revealed his burial wishes in his will, written shortly after his election in 2013, stating his desire to be laid to rest in the Papal Basilica where he would entrust his intentions to the Immaculate Mother.
24-04-2025
Pope Francis' last words before his death were an expression of thanks to his personal nurse and caregiver, Massimiliano Strappetti, saying "Thank you for bringing me back to the Square." Before dying on Monday, April 21, 2025, at 88, Francis had made a surprise appearance in St. Peter's Square on Easter Sunday, touring the crowd and embracing people, despite initial hesitation. He showed signs of illness on Easter Monday, fell into a coma, and died after suffering a heart attack, with those present saying he did not suffer and his death was quick.
24-04-2025
Thousands of Catholic faithful gathered at St Peter's Basilica to view the open coffin of Pope Francis, with many queuing for hours to pay their respects. The atmosphere was emotional and intimate, with people from diverse backgrounds and ages present. The basilica's grandeur and the Pope's simple coffin created a striking contrast. Many onlookers used their phones to capture the moment, which added to the mix of sorrow and celebration. The experience was moving, regardless of one's faith, and it was notable that so many people were willing to wait for hours to pay their respects to a man they had never met.
