Mourners have been paying their last respect to the late Pontiff since Wednesday
The Vatican will formally conclude public viewing of the late Pope Francis’ body with the Rite of Sealing of the Coffin on Friday, ahead of his funeral Mass scheduled for Saturday morning in St. Peter’s Square.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, will preside over the solemn rite, which will be attended by several Cardinals and senior Holy See officials. The ceremony marks the final step in preparations for the papal funeral and the beginning of the Novemdiales—nine days of mourning and Masses for the repose of the Pope’s soul.
Since Wednesday morning, over 50,000 people have passed through St. Peter’s Basilica to pay their respects, filing past the Altar of the Confession where the Pope’s body lies in state. The basilica remained open through the night until 5:30 AM on Thursday, briefly closing before reopening to more faithful at 7:00 AM.
Among those expected at the sealing rite are Cardinals Giovanni Battista Re, Pietro Parolin, Roger Mahony, Domenique Mamberti, Mauro Gambetti, Baldassare Reina, and Konrad Krajewski. They will be joined by a host of Church officials, including Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, Archbishop Ilson de Jesus Montanari, the late Pope’s personal secretaries, and others designated by the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations, Archbishop Diego Ravelli.
The funeral Mass for Pope Francis will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, April 26, in St. Peter’s Square, drawing mourners from around the world. The Novemdiales liturgies will follow, with daily Masses at 5:00 PM in St. Peter’s Basilica, except for Divine Mercy Sunday on April 27, when Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 AM in the Square.