On Tuesday, initial decisions are expected regarding the placement of the coffin in Saint Peter’s Basilica and other matters associated with the vacancy of the Apostolic See. A potential date for the Holy Father’s funeral has also emerged.
As announced in the Vatican, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, will preside over the evening rite. Present will be Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, members of the Papal Household, and the leadership of the Vatican health services.
On Tuesday, the first general congregation of cardinals will be held, involving cardinals from the Roman Curia, Rome, Italy, and others from around the world who are able to arrive in time at the Vatican. These congregations are meetings of cardinals held before the conclave, during which decisions regarding subsequent steps are taken.
According to initial information from the Vatican, the transfer of Francis’s coffin to Saint Peter’s Basilica is scheduled for Wednesday. On that day, the faithful will be able to come and pay their respects.
If this period of public homage extends over three days, then — as predicted by the ANSA news agency — the funeral ceremonies could take place as early as Saturday, March 26.
The likelihood of this date has been supported by a statement from the Vatican Press Office, which noted that the funeral of Pope Francis would take place between Friday and Sunday.
It was also recalled that according to the norms of the apostolic constitution Universi Dominici Gregis, promulgated by Pope John Paul II in 1996, the funeral of a pope is to be held between the fourth and sixth day following his death.