Shafaqna English- Pope Francis’s coffin will be sealed in St. Peter’s Basilica on Friday evening.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, will preside over the Ritual of Sealing of the Coffin of the late Pope Francis, ahead of the papal funeral on Saturday morning. The liturgical ritual will be attended by several Cardinals and Holy See officials.
It will mark the end of public viewing in St. Peter’s Basilica, which has seen tens of thousands of people pay their respects to the late Pope.
As his mortal remains lie in state, over 50,000 people have filed past the Altar of the Confession in the 24 hours since the Vatican Basilica opened to the faithful on Wednesday morning.
St. Peter’s Basilica remained open until 5:30 AM on Thursday, closing for an hour and a half before reopening at 7:00 AM. The funeral will take place on Saturday, April 26, at 10:00 AM in St. Peter’s Square.