Following his unexpected death, Pope Francis’s body will lie in state at St. Peter’s Basilica beginning Wednesday morning, with his funeral scheduled for Saturday in St. Peter’s Square
[dropcap]P[/dropcap]ublic viewing for Pope Francis, who passed away unexpectedly on Monday at the age of 88 following a stroke and cardiac arrest, will commence in St. Peter’s Basilica as early as Wednesday morning.
Also read: Pope Francis dies at 88 after health battle
The funeral service is scheduled to take place on Saturday at 10 a.m. local time in St. Peter’s Square.
Pope Francis, recognized for his often-contentious relationships with traditionalists within the Catholic Church, has also chosen to deviate from certain long-standing burial customs.
He has elected to be entombed in a simple wooden casket within the St. Mary Major basilica, located just outside the Vatican walls.
This decision reflects the pope’s well-known preference for simplicity and his desire to connect with the broader community beyond the Vatican’s confines.
Also read: Pope Francis advocates for families over pets amid declining birth rates
The upcoming public viewing and funeral are expected to draw large crowds of mourners from around the world, paying their respects to the late pontiff.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
