This morning, the rite of transfer took place, moving the coffin containing Pope Francis’s remains from the chapel of Santa Marta to St. Peter’s Basilica. The procession passed through St. Martha’s Square and the Square of the Roman Protomartyrs, followed by members of the College of Cardinals and several bishops, under the emotional gaze of hundreds of faithful gathered in the square.
The mortal remains entered through the main door of the Basilica, with the body of the Holy Father remaining visible at all times, and were placed before the Altar of the Confession.
The prayer moment was presided over by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Church. There was also a brief proclamation of the Liturgy of the Word with the Gospel of John (17:24-26), taken from Jesus’ priestly prayer, proclaiming God’s love for Him and for His disciples.
“A Heart Full of Gratitude and Praise”
The Shalom Community was represented during this moment of prayer before the Holy Father’s remains inside St. Peter’s Basilica by Fr. Víctor Hernández, Local Leader of the Community in Rome:
“We are living a moment of grace in the history of the Church—the transfer of the body of our beloved, dear Pope Francis. To be able to offer one last prayer is a great grace. We were few—priests, bishops, cardinals, and some laypeople as well. The square has been full of people since this morning, praying and interceding, asking the saints to intercede for the Pope and for our beloved Church. Our hearts are sad, but at the same time filled with gratitude and praise for everything the Pope did and left for the Church’s history and for our personal lives,” he shared outside St. Peter’s Basilica.
Final Farewell
The Holy Father’s remains will remain in St. Peter’s Basilica throughout today until midnight, and also on Thursday, April 24, from 7 a.m. to midnight, and on Friday, April 25, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. On that same day at 8 p.m., the closing rite will be celebrated, presided over by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Church.
Funeral of the Holy Father
The funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, April 26, at 10 a.m. in St. Peter’s Basilica, according to the rite established in the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis, and will also be presided over by the Camerlengo. Afterwards, the Holy Father’s remains will be laid to rest in the Basilica of St. Mary Major, a place of special devotion for the Pope.
Photo: Vatican Media
