Catholic Church: Further plans for Pope Business – Tens of thousands at the coffin

The planning for the funeral service and the burial of Pope Francis in the Vatican is progressing. While tens of thousands of believers still have the last honor of the Pontifex in St. Peter’s Basilica, who died on Easter Monday, further details from the celebrations on Saturday are known. In addition, the cardinals in their third meeting advised the preparations for the conclave to choose a successor to the Francis.

So far, the Holy Stuhl has not announced official details. Spokesman Matteo Bruni described that the focus was on the funeral service and the funeral of Francis on Saturday. However, since more and more church dignitaries are arriving in Rome from all over the world these days, it can be assumed that preliminary agreements are already taking place with regard to a conclave. Among other things, it is open when the Pope’s new election should begin. It is expected that it could be at the beginning of May until the cardinals entitled to vote retire to the Sistine chapel.

Dispute over Cardinal who fell out of favor?

If there is any questions about the composition of the conclusion, there is a risk of dispute: Cardinal Angelo Becciu, who had fallen into disgrace due to a financial scandal at Francis, has so far been led by the Vatican as a “non-voter”, but now insists on his place in the conclave. The churchman from Sardinia were withdrawn from Francis in 2020 in the course of the large fraud scandal. However, his precise status is not entirely clear. In a newspaper interview, Becciu argued that he was rehabilitated by Francis. There is currently no official information from the Vatican.

At the end of 2023, Becciu was the first cardinal in the history of the Catholic Church to be sentenced to a prison sentence of five years and six months by a court in the Vatican. The process was about questionable million deals in a real estate scandal in which he was involved.

Huge crowds: Petersdom also open at night

Meanwhile, the faithful in droves also moved to St. Peter’s Basilica on the second day of public attitude. There they show Francis the last honor that is laid out in an open coffin in front of the main altar. People walk close to the coffin and then past it on the left and right. Many record the moment with their smartphones, others pray.

The rush is immensely: instead of closing the St. Peter’s Basilica at midnight, as originally planned, believers were able to enter the most important church until 5:30 a.m. on the first night after hours. After an hour and a half break, the gates opened again at 7:00 a.m.

Zick-Zag-Wartschlangen about places and streets

An approximately one kilometer long queue quickly formed. This led partly in zigzag lines across adjacent places and side streets. Orders and volunteers regulated traffic. In the course of the morning, the queue grew to double. It was only in the afternoon that the influx of people fell somewhat.

Many German pilgrims and believers were also among the people. “I’ve been with my group here since half past nine,” said Anja Donaubauer from near Passau. “We tried it a second time. Nothing went on between 6 and 7 p.m. last night.” According to civil protection boss Fabio Ciciliano, almost 50,000 people came to St. Peter’s Basilica in the first 24 hours of public update.

Also because of Trump: extremely complex security concept

The basilica should remain open by Friday evening at 7 p.m. The coffin is then closed and prepared for the funeral service.

This will present the organizers and security forces in Rome with a major challenge. As the State Secretariat announced, 130 delegation had registered by Thursday afternoon. Around 50 heads of state or government and ten monarchs have announced their coming. Police and civil protection have been working on their concepts for the day for days. Around 200,000 people are expected on St. Peter’s Square and around the streets.

But not only the celebration on St. Peter’s Square has to be organized and secured, but also the transport of the coffin of Francis of Francis to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. There the Pontifex is then buried in a non-public frame.

At the express invitation, a group of poorer people should also be present at the funeral. Francis had always campaigned for weak and poor people in his pontificate.

His tombstone is very simple. The Vatican revealed that the tomb made of marble from the Italian region of Liguria is. This is the inscription “Franciscus”, as the Pope had in the will. A replica of the silver chest cross (Pectoral) of the dead Pope is then to hang.