Grief for Pope Francis: Political dignitaries united in Rome

Grief for Pope Francis: Political dignitaries united in Rome

Rom, Italien - The death of Pope Francis has triggered a worldwide wave of grief. Chancellor Christian Stocker and Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen said goodbye to the popular head of the Catholic Church in Rome today. Dozens of delegations from all over the world have traveled to the Italian capital for the funeral ceremony to pay their respect. At the airports Fiumicino and Ciampino there was a lot of operation, as state and government heads and numerous cardinals to attend the funeral service. A total of 170 delegations are expected in Rome, including top -class representatives such as Antonio Guterres, the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and Crown Prince Haakon Magnus of Norway.

In the middle of the preparations for the funeral ceremony, van der Bellen expressed that Pope Francis stands for closeness and humanity, while Stocker described the loss as painful for the Catholic Church. The funeral service, which is planned for Saturday at 10 a.m. on St. Peter's Square, put the city into a state of emergency. Italy's civil defense awaits hundreds of thousands of participants, and over 1,000 police officers will be in action to ensure security.

rituals and funeral details

The burial of Pope Francis will be made in the Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore on Saturday, a wish of the deceased himself. The body will be laid out in St. Peter's Basilica from Wednesday, and the coffin, which consists of cypress wood, will be closed in a ceremony on Friday evening at 8 p.m. It is particularly noteworthy that Pope Francis wanted a simple burial that is shaped by a simplified rite that was only determined by himself in 2024. In addition, the rogitum, a certificate of his life and his term of office, is enclosed as a grave addition.

The mourning time begins after the burial and takes nine days in which trade fairs will take place in St. Peter's Basilica every day. During this Sedisvacanz, the Cardinal College takes over the management of the Catholic Church, but without decision -making for far -reaching changes. The conclave for the choice of a new Pope is expected to begin in early May. 135 cardinals under the age of 80 who have to be in the Vatican are entitled to vote. The choice is strictly regulated and the vote takes place in the Sistine chapel.

The course of the Sedisvacanz and the subsequent choice of a new Pope is subject to the apostolic constitution "Universi Dominici Gregis", which determines clear guidelines how the Catholic Church should be conducted during this time. The ritual for confirmation of death was abolished in 2005, and bells of the eternal city traditionally ring after the death of a Pope. Camerlengo, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, plays a central role in the implementation of these rituals and also appoints the general congregations in which the cardinals advise on important affairs that are due during this time.

The grief for Pope Francis, who was known for his dialogue and humanity, will continue in both Italy and internationally, while the world is waiting for the choice of his successor.

For further information on the events related to the death of Pope Francis, the preparations of the burial and the upcoming conclave read: , ZDF and katholisch.de .