Pope’s funeral Mass set for Saturday in St Peter’s Square

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, will preside at the Mass, which will be concelebrated by patriarchs, cardinals, archbishops, bishops and priests from across the globe.

The eucharistic celebration will conclude with the Ultima commendatio and the Valedictio, marking the beginning of the Novemdiales, or nine days of mourning and Masses for the repose of Pope Francis’ soul. The late Pope’s body will then be taken into St Peter’s Basilica, and then to the Basilica of St Mary Major for entombment.

In his final testament, Pope Francis asked that his tomb be prepared in the burial niche in the side aisle between the Pauline Chapel (Chapel of the Salus Populi Romani) and the Sforza Chapel of St Mary Major.

“The tomb should be in the ground; simple, without particular ornamentation, bearing only the inscription: ‘Franciscus’,” the Pope stated.

“The cost of preparing the burial will be covered by a sum provided by a benefactor, which I have arranged to be transferred to the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major,” the testament explained.

Pope Francis wrote: “I wish my final earthly journey to end precisely in this ancient Marian sanctuary, where I would always stop to pray at the beginning and end of every apostolic journey, confidently entrusting my intentions to the Immaculate Mother, and giving thanks for her gentle and maternal care.”

On April 23, the coffin containing the Pope’s body was carried from the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta to St Peter’s Basilica so that the faithful could pay their respects. St Peter’s Basilica is open for the faithful who wish to pay their respects to the late Pope on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

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Pope Francis’ body to lie in state until funeral on Saturday morning (Vatican News)

Pope Francis’ testament (Vatican News)