World leaders, cardinals and crowds of pilgrims are expected to flock to the Vatican for Pope Francis’ funeral on Saturday.
The Prince of Wales will join the likes of US president Donald Trump, Sir Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron and Volodymyr Zelensky to pay their respects to the pontiff, who died aged 88 on Monday.
Officials at the Vatican released images of the late pope in an open casket on Tuesday, and confirmed that he had died from a stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure.
He is said to have showed the first signs of sudden illness two hours before passing, according to the Vatican news outlet, which reported he made a gesture of farewell with his hand to his nurse before falling into a coma.
His body will be moved to St Peter’s basilica on Wednesday to allow the public to pay their respects ahead of his funeral in St Peter’s Square and burial at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome.
His death came after he was hospitalised with double pneumonia for several weeks in February, before he returned to the Vatican in mid-March to recover.
Viewership of Conclave soars 283% after Pope Francis’ death
Following the death of Pope Francis, viewership of the Oscar-winning film Conclave — which dramatises the secretive election of a new pope — surged by 283 per cent, with 6.9 million minutes streamed on the day of his death, according to data from Luminate.
The film, starring Ralph Fiennes and based on Robert Harris’ novel, explores the Vatican’s behind-the-scenes political manoeuvring and earned eight Oscar nominations, including a win for Best Adapted Screenplay.
On Sunday, the film was watched for 1.8 million minutes. The day news of the Pope’s death broke, the film was watched for 6.9 million minutes, Luminate, which tracks viewership of streaming content, said.
As of today, April 22, the film has joined the Prime catalogue. For those already subscribed to Prime Video, the movie will come at no additional cost and will be included as part of their membership. Viewers who want to watch the film for free will be able to secure a free 30-day trial and enjoy it that way.
A look at the coming weeks:
The death of Pope Francis has set in motion weeks of millennia-old processes in the lead up to the next Pontiff being elected.
Here is a look at what we can expect in the coming days:
– On Tuesday, the Pope’s body was pictured in Casa Santa Marta, his former residence.
– On Wednesday, the Pope’s open casket will go on public display at St Peter’s Basilica for mourners to pay their respects.
– On Saturday morning, his funeral will take place in St Peter’s Square.
– He will be buried in St Mary Major, becoming the first pope in over 100 years to not be buried in Vatican grounds.
– After the service, there will be a nine-day period of mourning.
– On May 5, cardinals will gather in the Vatican to begin the conclave – where a new pope will be elected.
– The cardinals are not allowed contact with the outside world during the election, which could take days.
Cardinals prepare for conclave as world mourns Pope Francis
Around 60 cardinals met on Tuesday to finalise funeral plans for Pope Francis, with the conclave to choose the next pope expected to begin on 6 May.
No clear frontrunner has emerged, though speculation points to reformist Luis Antonio Tagle and Italy’s Pietro Parolin.
In the interim, Irish-American Cardinal Kevin Farrell, in his role as camerlengo (chamberlain), oversees the day-to-day affairs of the Vatican.
Trump and Prince William to be among funeral attendees
A large array of world leaders, cardinals and hundreds of thousands of worshippers are expected to attend Pope Francis’ funeral on Saturday.
Those confirmed to be attending already include the Prince of Wales, on behalf of his father, King Charles.
US president Donald Trump and the first lady Melania have also said they will be attending.
They will be joined by other royal families and world leaders including Sir Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron and Volodymyr Zelensky.
Pope Francis’ body to lie in state before Saturday funeral
Pope Francis, who died on Monday aged 88, will lie in state at St Peter’s Basilica from Wednesday.
Tens of thousands are expected to pay their respects before his funeral on Saturday, attended by world leaders including Donald Trump.
Leaders from Italy, France, Germany, Britain, Ukraine, EU institutions, and Francis’ home nation of Argentina also confirmed their presence.
Pope Francis asked to be buried in St Mary Major with just “Franciscus” inscribed on his tomb.
Source: independent.co.uk
