On Saturday, April 26, in St. Peter's Square, the funeral ceremony of Pope Francis, who passed away last Monday at the age of 88, will take place.
According to a Vatican press release, the body of the late Pope will be transferred to St. Peter's Basilica and then to the Basilica of St. Mary Major for burial.
That, his last will and testament, makes him the first pope for more than a century not to be buried in the Vatican, where all popes since 1914 have been laid to rest.
Part of his request was also to be buried in a simple wooden coffin, with only the inscription of the name he chose when he became Pope, Francis.
The Eucharistic celebration will end with the Ultima commendatio and the Valedictio, thus beginning the nine days of mourning and Masses for the soul of the Supreme Pontiff, reads the communiqué of the Holy See.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista, dean of the College of Cardinals, will preside the liturgy in which several world leaders are expected to attend.
