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World Catholics will say goodbye to Pope Francis At his funeral in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican on Saturday morning.
Francis died at Easter on Monday at the age of 88 after the 12 -year papacy.
Tens of thousands of people are expected to attend a funeral, as well as dozens of world leaders, including US President Donald Trump, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Prince William, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and several European royal kingdoms. The leaders from Italy, France, Germany and Francis’ domestic state of Argentina also confirmed their presence.
General Mary Simon Government will represent Canada at the funeral, the Prime Minister’s office confirmed, since he is underway Federal choices Campaign that should end on Monday.
In total, the Vatican says he expects delegations of at least 130 countries and international organizations.
The funeral will start on Saturday at 4am (0800 GMT). Global News will broadcast a live online event.
Francis was lying in the country in a simple wooden coffin for days in St. Peter’s Basilica, where the Vatican says that more than 250,000 people have paid tribute. His coffin was sealed on Friday night after the last day of public watch.
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Then will be buriedAccording to his will, in a simple underground tomb in St. Mary’s Basilica. The tomb is made of marble from the Italian region of Liguria, the House of Francis’s grandparents, said the Vatican.
Security is enhanced by Rome and in the Vatican to cope with a great deal of crowds to see Francis’ body and prepare for a high profile funeral.
Francis, who suffered from a chronic lung disease and had part of a lung removed as a young man, was admitted to Gemelli Hospital in Rome on February 14 for a respiratory crisis that developed into a double pneumonia.
He spent 38 days there, the longest hospitalization of his papacy, but eventually returned to the Vatican on March 23. In days before his death, he continued his duties and met with world leaders, including US Vice -President JD Vance.
It is not expected that the conclave to select the new Pope will begin before May 6, after a period of mourning. Cardinals now gathering in Rome will decide the date after the discussions have been often extended.
About 135 Cardinals fulfill the conditions for participating in a secret conclave, which can extend a few days before white smoke pouring from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel says to the world that a new Pope has been chosen.
– With files from Associated Pressa and Reuters
& Copy 2025 Global News, Corus Enterinment Inc.
