Victor EzejaThe body of Pope Francis has been transferred from the Casa Santa Marta to St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome, where it will lie in state to enable the faithful to pay their respects until his funeral on Saturday.
On Wednesday morning, the College of Cardinals assembled for the Rite of Translation of Pope Francis’s body in the Vatican.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelWith a brief prayer for Pope Francis’s soul, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, opened the liturgical rite at the Casa Santa Marta chapel.
According to Vatican News, Cardinal Farrell thanked God for the late Pope’s 12-year mission.
The coffin was thereafter taken to St. Peter’s Square with a procession led by the College of Cardinals through the Santa Marta Square in the Vatican.
Over 20,000 people had gathered in the square to pay their respects to the late Pope, according to the Vatican News.
Videos shared on social media showed the moment the coffin was brought into St. Peter’s Basilica from the Casa Santa Marta.
The choir recited the Litany of the Saints in Latin for the repose of his soul.
A brief Liturgy of the Word was then led by Cardinal Farrell, during which a passage from the Gospel of John (17:24-26) describing Jesus’ priestly prayer announcing God’s love for Him and His disciples was read.
The mortal remains of Pope Francis are carried up the steps of St. Peter’s Basilica and into the Vatican Basilica.
The Rite of Translation from the Casa Santa Marta was led by members of the College of Cardinals present in Rome, and over 20,000 people gathered in the square to… pic.twitter.com/c2GTXjVBrW
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) April 23, 2025
After the faithful assembled in St. Peter’s Basilica, members of the College of Cardinals paid their condolences to the late Pope Francis.
The Basilica will be open Wednesday through Thursday from 7 AM to midnight, Friday from 7 AM to 7 PM.
READ ALSO: Vatican Fixes Pope Francis’ Burial For Saturday, April 26
On Friday, 25 April at 8 PM, Cardinal Farrell will preside over the ceremony for sealing Pope Francis’ casket.
The dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, will preside over Pope Francis’ funeral mass, which is scheduled for Saturday, 26 April at 10 AM in St. Peter’s Square.
Patriarchs, cardinals, archbishops, bishops, priests, consecrated religious, and lay believers from all around the world will join to say goodbye to Pope Francis.
The late Pope will be buried in the Basilica of St. Mary Major after Saturday’s Mass.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
