He Vatican published on Thursday the libretto of the ceremony which will regulate the funeral of Pope Francis. Despite the changes that the Holy Father introduced before his death, he will be solemn and full of symbols like the previous ones. It will be Saturday, April 26 from 10, local time, 5 in the morning, Argentine time.
The funeral to say goodbye to Pope Francis, who died Monday at age 88, It is expected to be massive. More than 150 delegations from all over the world will arrive, including leaders and presidents of a number of countries, such as the American Donald Trump and the Argentine Javier Milei. The total faithful is still difficult to calculate. Some predicted 500 thousand. The truth is that all flights and lodgings to Rome are exhausted.
Francisco made some changes in the issues related to the coffin and some details, How to ask to be at the ground, in clear allusion to the austerity and humility of a poor church for the poor, Far from the great paraphernalias. Some of the changes were the exhibition of the coffin to the faithful without the catafalco and the elimination of the traditional three coffers of cypress, lead and oak.
The exequial liturgy
The exequial liturgy will begin at 10, time of Rome. Will be chaired by the cardinal Giovanni Battista reDean of the Cardenalicio College. The coffin will already be closed. It will be taken by the “thirsty” from inside the Basilica to the Plaza de San Pedro. There they will locate it in the center of the “sacred” with the Gospel on the coffin.
The patriarchs and cardinals will be dressed in the miter of Damascus Blanco. The archbishops and bishops, with the friendly, cingulo and miter simple. During the liturgy prayer, Only the denomination of Pope Francis will be used to refer to the deceased Holy Father. This was one of the changes introduced by him.
The Kyrie will sing, The first of the songs that belong to the ordinary of the Mass, and then the cardinal will read: “God, eternal shepherd of souls, your gaze returns to the people that begs you and grants your servant, Pope Francis, who has presided over your church in charity, who shares with the flock that has been entrusted with the promised reward for the faithful of the Gospel“
Then the faithful will pray: “For the late Pope Francis, so that the prince of the shepherds, who always lives to intercede for us, wrapped it Benignly in his kingdom of light and peace.”
So that God welcomes the soul of Pope Francis.
After the readings, Cardinal Re will make a homily dedicated to Pope Francis and then The ‘last commendactio’ will occur so that God welcomes the soul of the deceased Holy Father. Once finished, the turn of the Vicar General for the Diocese of the Italian capital to ask for the bishop of Rome.
Finally, the cardinal will read the ‘Responsorium‘(A series of verses and responses) and will spread blessed water and incense the coffin of Pope Francis.
Transfer to Santa María la Mayor
After Cardinal Re Esparza Blessed Water, the coffin will be taken a moment to the interior of the Basilica of San Pedro to prepare the courtship that will lead to it until Its final destination: the Basilica of Santa María la Mayor. The Pope Francisco expressly asked that they will take him there, In Rome, about 6 kilometers away from the Vatican. Also requested that it be buried on Earth, in a simple grave and only with Latin registration: ‘Franciscus’.
Where to see the funeral of Pope Francis
The funeral can be followed live through Vatican News, the Vatican news channel on YouTube. It can also be followed by international news channels CNN, NBC, CBS and ABC. Another option is the American newspaper New York Times.
Source: Ambito
