Pope Francis will preside at a funeral Mass in St. Peter’s Square for his predecessor former Pope Benedict, who died on Saturday at the age of 95. | Reuters
The viewing is due to end at 7 p.m. . The body will then be placed in a coffin made of cypress wood, along with several papal items such as vestments symbolizing his role as pope and bishop, and coins and medals that were minted during his pontificate. Also included will be a lead tube with a deed in Latin listing the key points in his pontificate.
The funeral Mass presided over by Pope Francis is due to start at 9:30 a.m. . At first, the pope will sit before the coffin facing the crowd. The Sistine Chapel choir will start its singing with the introductory rites. Francis will deliver the homily at the Mass, which will be con-celebrated by 120 cardinals, 400 bishops and nearly 4,000 priests.
He will say in Latin: “Gracious Father, we commend to your mercy Pope Emeritus Benedict, whom you made successor of Peter and shepherd of the Church, a fearless preacher of your word and a faithful minister of the divine mysteries.”
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