Pope Francis died at 7:35 p.m. on Easter Monday, and his death was reported around 10 p.m. Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced this message in a communication from the Vatican press office. "Dear brothers and sisters, with large sadness I must declare the death of our Holy Father Francis," said the cardinal.
W The Vatican has already begun preparations for the funeral. The decision on the date of the ceremony ceremony is to be determined during the first Congregation of Cardinals, or their assembly, to be held on Tuesday morning. According to the standards of the Apostolic Constitution "Universi Dominici Gregis" of John Paul II of 1996, the ceremony of the Pope is to take place between the 4th and sixth days after his death. That means the ceremony will take place between Friday and Sunday.
In the media, the date of April 26, or Saturday, is circulating as a probable burial date. The will of Pope Francis, dated 29 June 2022, shows that he wanted to be buried outside the walls of the Vatican. Throughout my life and during my ministry as a priest and bishop, I have always entrusted myself to the parent of our Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary. For this reason, I ask that my temporal remains remainder – awaiting the day of resurrection – in the papal basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.
Pope Francis asked his grave to be prepared in the burial niche in the side aisle between the Paulin chapel (the Salus Populi Romani chapel) and the Sforz basilica chapel. A plan was attached to the will. The tomb is to be in the ground, simple, without peculiar ornaments, with the inscription: Franciscus. The cost of preparing the burial will be paid from the amount donated by the benefactor I organized to be donated to the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.
Pope Francis besides wanted his body to be buried in 1 coffin, not in three, as has been the case with popes so far. It was his will that 1 mourning vigil be held, with a body set up in a closed coffin. Earlier, the body of dead popes was exhibited on public display on the catafalcus.
According to data, in 2020 the Catholic Church worldwide had over 1.3 billion followers. Pope Francis was the 266th Pope in the past of the Catholic Church. His pontificate lasted more than 10 years.
Pope Francis was born on 17 December 1936 in Argentina. He was a Jesuit priest and bishop before being elected Pope in 2013. His real name is Jorge Mario Bergoglio.
In Poland, Pope Francis is worshipped by thousands of believers. According to the figures, in 2020 the Catholic Church in Poland had over 34 million faithful. Pope Francis visited Poland in 2016, erstwhile he presided over the planet Youth Day in Krakow.
The death of Pope Francis is simply a failure to the full world. His teaching and leadership will be remembered forever. Let his legacy proceed for future generations.
