On Saturday morning, the ceremony Mass of Pope Francis began in St Peter's Square. It is presided over by its Dean of the College of Cardinals, 91-year-old Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re. erstwhile the coffin was lifted from the basilica with the body of the Holy Father, the faithful gathered in St Peter's Square began to clap.
The mass is attended by respective twelve planet leaders, including U.S. president Donald Trump with his wife Melania, Argentina leader Javier Milei, presidents: Italy Sergio Mattarella and Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenski with his wife Olena.
President Andrzej Duda is at the head of the Polish delegation.
German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier arrived with Chancellor Olaf Scholz, presidents: France Emmanuel Macron, Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Hungary Tamas Sulyok with Prime Minister Viktor Orban, UK Prime Minister Kair Starmer.
MODIFICATION FROM THE CURRENCY IN THE WATE:
The European Union is represented by the President: European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, European Parliament Robert Metsol, European Council Antonio Costa. There is besides UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.
Among the barked heads are King of Belgium Philip, Queen of Denmark Mary, King of Spain Philip VI with his wife Queen of Leticia, King of Sweden Charles XVI Gustav with Queen Sylvia, King of Jordan Abdullah II with his wife Queen Rania, Prince of Monaco Albert II with his wife Charlene. The British Crown is represented by Prince William, boy of King Charles III.
Among the participants of the mass is the mayor of the Italian island of Lampedusa, symbol of the migration crisis, Filippo Mannino. His presence has a strong symbolic significance. It was on this island that Francis went on his first journey in July 2013, little than 4 months after his election.
There are 40 ecumenical delegations and another religions. Francis' friend, Ecumenical Patriarch Constantinople Bartholomew, is present.
From the Patriarchate of Moscow, Metropolitan Antoni arrived, who is number 2 in the Russian Orthodox Church.
Wieni say goodbye to the Pope
Tens of thousands of believers from all over the planet gathered in the square in front of the Vatican Basilica, including many Franciscans - Argentines. There are besides many Poles.
Polish, Argentine flags, as well as countries visited by Pope Indonesia and East Timor in September 2024.
In 1 of the first rows in the square, a banner of youth was developed from the educational foundation of Scholas Occurrentes founded by Francis with the inscription: "Goodbye, father, master, poet".
Many of the faithful arrived at the square before 6 a.m. as shortly as it was opened. any in the area of the closed square were waiting for the entrance from Friday evening.
When the coffin performance with the body of Francis appeared, the faithful stood up and started clapping in tribute to the late pope.
Earlier, the faithful welcomed the applause of the Archbishop of Swiatosław Szewczuk entering the square of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
In the concelebratory mass there are members of the College of Cardinals and patriarchs of the east Churches. After mass, which will take about 90 minutes, the Pope will be buried in the Roman basilica of Our woman the Greater.
"Rome is full of people, but without Francis it is empty" - said a nun from Argentina Lucia Caram.
PAP
