The Vatican is preparing to bid a final farewell to Pope Francis, whose funeral Mass will take place on Saturday, April 26, at 10:00 AM (GMT +2) in St. Peter’s Square.
The liturgy will mark the beginning of the Novemdiales, an ancient tradition of nine days of mourning and Masses offered for the repose of the pope’s soul.
Ahead of the funeral, a solemn Rite of Sealing the Coffin will be held on Friday evening, April 25, at 8:00 PM inside St. Peter’s Basilica, bringing to a close the period of public viewing.
Since Wednesday morning, more than 50,000 faithful have filed past the Altar of the Confession in St. Peter’s Basilica, where Pope Francis’ body lies in state. The basilica has remained open for extended hours to accommodate mourners, closing briefly at dawn before reopening to the flow of pilgrims and visitors.
This outpouring of prayer and presence reflects the deep affection the global Church holds for the late pontiff, who led the Church with humility, compassion, and a commitment to the margins.
The Rite of Sealing the Coffin will be presided over by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church. The liturgical rite will be attended by a number of senior Vatican officials and cardinals, including Cardinals Giovanni Battista Re, Pietro Parolin, Roger Mahony, Domenique Mamberti, Mauro Gambetti, Baldassare Reina, and Konrad Krajewski.
Other key participants will include Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, Archbishop Ilson de Jesus Montanari, Monsignor Leonardo Sapienza, the Canons of the Vatican Chapter, Vatican penitentiaries, and Pope Francis’ personal secretaries.
Following the funeral, the Church will observe the Novemdiales — nine consecutive days of liturgies, prayers, and reflections. Mass will be celebrated daily at 5:00 PM in St. Peter’s Basilica, except for Divine Mercy Sunday, April 27, when Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 AM in St. Peter’s Square.
This period offers the Church an extended time to give thanks for the life and legacy of Pope Francis and to entrust his soul to the mercy of God, whom he served so faithfully.
As the world prepares to say goodbye to a pope who brought the Church closer to the poor, the wounded, and the world’s peripheries, Catholics around the globe are invited to join in prayer and unity.
Radio Veritas Asia encourages all readers to offer Masses, rosaries, and personal intentions in solidarity during this sacred time of remembrance.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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