Multitudes of devotees continue to gather, eager to pay their last respects to Pope Francis as preparations for his funeral ensue.
As we bid adieu to Pope Francis, who passed away last Monday, St. Peter's Basilica echoes with mourning, while Rome braces itself for world leaders attending the State funeral on Saturday. Stay tuned for the latest news on Clarín’s minute-by-minute coverage.
Guillermo Feres Castillo's final update
Javier Milei, hours before traveling to Pope Francis' funeral in Rome, recognized Jorge Bergoglio as "the most important Argentine in history."
Pope Francis' funeral procession will traverse six kilometers of Rome's heart, partially following the ancient Via Papalis. The route will conclude at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, where Francis will be laid to rest.
The tomb, crafted from marble, will bear the inscription "Franciscus" and house a reproduction of his pectoral cross. Francis will be situated in a side nave of the basilica, near the altar of San Francesco.
More than 128,000 people have paid respects to the late Pontiff by 8:00 AM local time, as numbers are estimated to swell to 200,000 for the funeral.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his condolences to the Catholic Church over the death of Pope Francis. Meanwhile, long lines continued throughout the night, with St. Peter’s Basilica remaining open until 4:00 AM, reopening at 5:45 AM, both times in local time.
Italian Civil Protection anticipates that the number of people approaching to bid farewell to the Supreme Pontiff will continue to surge significantly in the coming hours until the doors of St. Peter's close at 7:00 PM on Friday.
Nicolás Maduro praised Francis for standing up for the Venezuelan people against "aggression" by the US. Maduro also acknowledged Francis as a "spiritual leader of the world recognized by all religions."
Fabio Bartucci, the ophthalmologist that operated on Pope Francis, recounted how the first contact between the pontiff and Javier Milei occurred post-elections. The communication was described as "very pleasant," with the Pope conversing with Milei as if they had spoken daily.
Cardinal Roberto Repole, Archbishop of Turin, shared his "most beautiful memory" of Francis. Repole described a situation that occurred in October when Francis agreed to meet Repole and his parents without a formal schedule.
Since Pope Francis' demise, attention has shifted to the prospective Popes that could lead the Catholic Church. While it is unpredictable who the next Pope will be, Cardinal Pietro Parolin is considered the leading contender due to his moderate views and involvement within the Church.
As the day of Pope Francis' burial approaches, religious figures from around the globe prepare to convene in St. Peter’s Basilica. Amid the heartfelt farewells, preparations for the conclave to elect Francis' successor are underway.
An Against-the-Grain Approach
While it is customary for the pope's vestments to come from expert Gammarelli's Rome tailors, this time the Vatican will use cassocks from previous conclaves as a nod to the environmentally-conscious Francis.
Baltazar Enrique Porras Cardozo, Archbishop of Mérida and Venezuelan cardinal, bid farewell to Francis with a video acknowledging the Pope's influence and the emotional tribute paid by the faithful.
Several Argentine football players, including Paulo Dybala, Leandro Paredes, Matias Soulé, and Valentin Castellanos, visited Pope Francis to express their condolences.
While Robert Sarah, the ultraconservative cardinal from New Guinea and potential successor to Francis, attempted to ignore journalists, Andrea Ropero managed to ask him if he saw himself as the future Pope of the Catholic Church. Unsurprisingly, he declined to answer.
Lovers of history and the Catholic Church may appreciate a scenic tour of St. Peter's Basilica from the terrace of the Arm of Carlomagno, designed by Bernini. The view offers a breathtaking perspective of the iconic architecture and the spiritual significance it holds.
- The ultraconservative cardinal, Robert Sarah, declined to answer when asked if he saw himself as a potential future Pope of the Catholic Church.
- Several Argentine football players, such as Paulo Dybala, Leandro Paredes, Matias Soulé, and Valentin Castellanos, visited Pope Francis to express their condolences.
- The Vatican will use cassocks from previous conclaves to honor Pope Francis' environmental consciousness.
- Baltazar Enrique Porras Cardozo, Archbishop of Mérida and Venezuelan cardinal, bid farewell to Francis with a video acknowledging the Pope's influence and the emotional tribute paid by the faithful.
