By Kolawole Ojebisi
The Vatican on Tuesday published the first photo and video of Pope Francis lying in state.
As shown in the viral photo, the late Pontiff in an open coffin dressed in red liturgical vestments, a mitre on his head and a rosary placed in his hands.
The body of Pope Francis lies in state at the Vatican’s Domus Sanctae Marthae chapel, surrounded by Swiss Guards, cardinals, and Vatican officials paying their respects before his transfer to St. Peter’s Basilica for public veneration,
This comes hours after the Holy See Press Office disclosed that the funeral of Pope Francis will take place on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 10am in St. Peter’s Square.
According to the statement, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, “Will preside at the Mass, which will be concelebrated by Patriarchs, Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, and priests from across the globe.”
It added, “The Eucharistic celebration will conclude with the Ultima commendatio and the Valedictio. The late Pope Francis’ body will then be taken into St. Peter’s Basilica and then to the Basilica of St. Mary Major for entombment.
“Ahead of the funeral, the coffin containing the Pope’s body will be carried from the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta to St. Peter’s Basilica.”
