Pope’s death: Francis will be buried on Saturday

The body of the late Pope Francis is now laid out in the chapel of his residence Santa Marta in the Vatican. Cardinals, members of the curia and employees of the Vatican can say goodbye to the open coffin. The Argentine -born, who was at the head of the Catholic Church for more than twelve years, died in his residence on Easter Monday at the age of 88.

The coffin stands in front of an altar in the chapel where Francis often celebrated the early mass. The dead Pope is wearing a red robe and a white bishop’s mitra. A rosary is wrapped around the folded hands. On the right and left, a member of the Swiss guard wakes up. On Wednesday, the body from Casa Santa Marta will be transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica in a procession, as a college of cardinals stated. There, believers from all over the world can say goodbye to the open coffin.

The burial is then on Saturday. After a large funeral mass in the Vatican, the coffin is brought to the basilica Santa Maria Maggiore a few kilometers, where the deceased Pope will have his final resting place at his own request. State guests from all over the world are expected. US President Donald Trump has also announced. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and the executive Chancellor Olaf Scholz are probably coming from Germany.

On Monday evening, the death of the 88-year-old was officially found in the Vatican as part of a one-hour rite. Then the body was placed in the coffin. The death certificate was read for this. Cardinal treasurer Kevin Farrell certified the death certificate. The Pope’s living spaces and his study in the Apostolic Palace were sealed. Only the new Pontifex can break these seals.

The final resting place in Santa Maria Maggiore

In his will, which was published in the evening, Francis stated that he did not want to be buried in St. Peter’s Basilica, but in the Marienkirche Santa Maria Maggiore near Rome’s main station. Only his name should stand on his grave: Franciscus. There are already graves of earlier popes. However, the previous burial is more than 350 years ago.

Francis died on Easter Monday after a long phase of serious illness. In the history of the Catholic Church, only one other Pope became older. The Vatican called a stroke. In the spring, Francis was in the hospital with a life -threatening pneumonia with a life -threatening pneumonia. The doctors had almost given him up.

Funeral celebrations in a smaller style

The funerals will take place on a smaller style than with predecessors in recent times. In St. Peter’s Basilica, the dead Pope will not be seen on a catafalca – a high bahre – but in a simple wooden coffin. Another innovation is that the papal bishop’s staff is no longer next to the coffin as a symbol of rule.

From many countries around the world, condolence letters have been received since the death message – also from states in which the Catholics are in the minority. Worldwide, more than 1.4 billion people are currently committed to Catholic faith.

Conclave probably begins in early May

The conclave for the election of the new Pope probably begins in early May – again in the Sistine chapel. According to the current status, 135 cardinals from all over the world are entitled to vote. This also includes three Germans: the cardinal of Munich and Freising, Reinhard Marx, the Cardinal of Cologne, Rainer-Maria Woelki and the Cardinal Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller. The cardinals have already been called up by the Dean of the Cardinal College, Giovanni Battista Re.

The electoral courses are strictly secret. The conclave can be over after a few hours, but also days: there is no time limit. To choose from, the new Pontifex needs a two -thirds majority. When he is chosen, white smoke rises from a chimney.

No important decisions until the election

A short time later, the new Pope on the Mittelloggia of St. Peter’s Basilica showed itself to the public for the first time. He is announced with the words “Habemus Papam” (we have a Pope “). The current period up to the election is referred to as a sedis vacancy, the” time of the empty chair “. During this time, no important decisions may be made in the Vatican.

According to Catholic theory of faith, the Pope is the successor to the apostle Peter and deputy of Jesus Christ on earth. The official title is: “Bishop of Rome, governor of Jesus Christ, successor of the Apostle Prince, head of the entire church, patriarch of the West, Primas of Italy, archbishop and metropolitan of the church province of Rome, confidently of the state of the Vatican City, servant of the servant of God”.