Pope Francis’ Body Exposed in Vatican Chapel
The Vatican has released the first image of Pope Francis’ body laid in a wooden coffin, almost touching the ground, and displayed in the Chapel of the Crib at the Paul VI Audience Room in Vatican City.
As the mortal remains of Pope Francis rest in a velvet-lined coffin, thousands of Catholics—including nuns, religious figures, priests, laypeople, and specialists—are contemplating the future of the Church as a crucial conclave approaches to elect his successor.
Funeral Arrangements and Transfers
The Vatican shared the first image of Pope Francis’ body dressed in a purple cassock, a white mitre on his head, and holding a rosary. The transfer of the casket to St. Peter’s Basilica will take place on Wednesday at 9 AM Rome time, led by cardinals, for a vigil until Friday at 7 PM. This allows people worldwide to pay their respects before the official funeral on Saturday at 10 AM in St. Peter’s Square.
Prominent Attendees at Funeral and Subsequent Conclave
The funeral will be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the senior cardinal at 91 years old. Notable world leaders attending include US President Donald Trump, despite their differences on migration issues. Other leaders confirmed to attend are the presidents of France, Brazil, Germany, Poland, Ukraine, the European Commission, and Argentina—Pope Francis’ home country, which he never visited as pope. Additionally, the British Prime Minister and Belgian royal family will be present.
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo will not attend, but her Secretary of the Interior, Rosa Icela Rodríguez, will represent her.
Burial Details and the Upcoming Conclave
Following the funeral, Pope Francis will be interred in a side chapel of St. Mary Major Basilica outside the Vatican, breaking tradition and not in St. Peter’s as some of his predecessors were laid to rest. His tomb will simply read “Franciscus,” as per his will.
While the Catholic world focuses on Pope Francis’ funeral, the real question is: who will succeed him? Will cardinals choose a pope with opposing views to Francis’ reforms, or will they embrace and continue his initiatives? Will the Church lean towards openness or cling to the status quo?
Potential candidates span the ideological spectrum: liberals, conservatives, and moderates; some with a more pastoral approach, others with political and diplomatic skills. Favorites include Cardinals Parolin, Tagle, Zuppi, Erdö, Turkson, and Omella. However, the critical question remains: what kind of pope does the Catholic Church need in today’s polarized and disillusioned world?
Key Questions and Answers
- What are the funeral arrangements for Pope Francis? The casket will be transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday, where it will remain until Friday. The official funeral will take place in St. Peter’s Square on Saturday.
- Who will attend the funeral? Notable attendees include US President Donald Trump, French, German, Polish, Ukrainian, European Commission, and Argentine presidents, the British Prime Minister, Belgian royals, and others.
- Where will Pope Francis be buried? He will be interred in a side chapel of St. Mary Major Basilica outside the Vatican, with a simple tombstone reading “Franciscus.”
- What are the key questions surrounding Pope Francis’ succession? The main question is whether cardinals will choose a pope with opposing views to Francis’ reforms or continue his initiatives. The Church must decide whether to embrace openness or cling to the status quo.
- Who are the leading candidates for pope? Potential candidates include Cardinals Parolin, Tagle, Zuppi, Erdö, Turkson, and Omella, representing various ideological perspectives.
