Vatican News / YouTube Screenshot
CV NEWS FEED // On Friday evening, the Vatican will hold a solemn liturgical rite to seal the coffin of Pope Francis, bringing to a close the days of public mourning that have seen tens of thousands of faithful pass through St. Peter’s Basilica.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, will preside over the Rite of Sealing of the Coffin, Vatican News reported. The 8 p.m. ceremony, attended by senior Church officials and members of the Holy See, will precede the funeral Mass scheduled for Saturday morning.
The Office for the Liturgical Celebrations invited a number of cardinals to participate, including Cardinals Giovanni Battista Re, Pietro Parolin, Roger Mahony, Dominique Mamberti, Mauro Gambetti, Baldassare Reina, and Konrad Krajewski.
Assisting in the rite will be key Vatican figures such as Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, Archbishop Ilson de Jesus Montanari, Monsignor Leonardo Sapienza, and members of the Vatican Chapter and Pontifical Household.
As the Pope’s body lies in state before the Altar of the Confession, Vatican officials reported that more than 50,000 people filed past in the first 24 hours alone since the Basilica opened its doors on Wednesday, April 23. St. Peter’s Basilica remained open throughout the night until 5:30 a.m. Thursday, briefly closing before reopening to the faithful at 7 a.m.
Pope Francis’ funeral Mass is set for Saturday, April 26, at 10 a.m. in St. Peter’s Square and will inaugurate the Novemdiales — nine days of Masses for the repose of his soul. As previously reported by CatholicVote, these liturgies will be led by different cardinals and attended by specific groups each day.
