Cardinals to Meet to Arrange Pope’s Funeral
Several cardinals are scheduled to convene in Rome today, Tuesday, to discuss the arrangements for the funeral of Pope Francis, who passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88.
The cardinals will determine the exact date for the burial of the late head of the Catholic Church, which typically occurs four to six days after death.
While it is customary for a deceased pope to be buried in St. Peter’s Basilica, it is expected that Pope Francis’s body will be laid to rest outside the Vatican, in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, one of his favorite locations.
A number of heads of state and government from around the world are expected to attend the funeral service.
Pope Francis’s body remains at the Santa Marta guesthouse, his residence within the Vatican, and will be transferred tomorrow, Wednesday, to St. Peter’s Basilica to allow the faithful to pay their last respects, as announced by the Vatican.
Pope Francis, who led the Catholic Church for 12 years, passed away yesterday morning, Monday, due to a stroke, according to the Vatican.
