vatican

The World Prepares to Bid Farewell to Pope Francis

Some 250,000 people paid their respects to Pope Francis during a three-day lying in state at St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican said on Friday, as public viewing ended and world leaders began gathering for his funeral. French President Emmanuel Macron was among the last to pay his respects, with the overall crowds exceeding the estimated 195,000 ...

Pope Francis's Funeral: who's Attending?

The Vatican on Thursday said at least 130 foreign delegations had confirmed their attendance at Pope Francis's funeral, including 51 heads of state and 10 reigning monarchs. Here is a list of VIP guests whose offices have confirmed they will be in Rome on Saturday. Americas  ARGENTINA: President Javier Milei. BRAZIL: President Luiz Inacio ...

Vatican Braces for Huge Crowds Ahead of Pope's Funeral

The Vatican will make final preparations Friday for Pope Francis's funeral as the last of the huge crowds of mourners file through St Peter's Basilica to view his open coffin. Many of the 50 heads of state and 10 monarchs attending Saturday's ceremony in St Peter's Square, who include US President Donald Trump and Ukraine's President Volodymyr ...

Why Are Some of the Pope’s Jewels Destroyed After His Death?

When a pope dies, it’s not only the prayers of the Catholic world that accompany his passing. Behind the scenes, a ritual—codified, discreet, and often unknown—takes place, such as the destruction of certain jewels. Among them, the most well-known is the Ring of the Fisherman, ritually broken in public. Other items—seals, pectoral crosses, ...

Huge Crowds Expected for Second Day of Pope Lying in State

Huge crowds were expected on Thursday for a glimpse of Pope Francis's body on the second day of public tributes, afer St Peter's Basilica stayed open almost all night to accomodate the crowds. Close to 20,000 people filtered past the Catholic leader's red-lined wooden coffin in the first eight hours of the lying in state on Wednesday. Instead of ...

The World Leaders Set to Attend Pope Francis's Funeral

Many world leaders have announced they will travel to Rome for Pope Francis's funeral on Saturday, which is expected to draw a huge crowd in the square in front of St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. Here is a list of the expected VIP guests. Americas ARGENTINA: President Javier Milei. The pope, who was born in Argentina in 1936, had a ...

Tens of Thousands Bid Farewell to Pope Francis Lying in State

Tens of thousands of mourners began saying their last goodbyes to Pope Francis at St Peter's Basilica on Wednesday, as the body of the late Argentine pontiff began three days of lying in state. By mid-afternoon, the wait to enter St Peter's Basilica was about three hours, as the long line of pilgrims and tourists wishing to pass by the pontiff's ...

President Joseph Aoun to Attend Pope Francis’ Funeral at the Vatican

President Joseph Aoun will travel to the Vatican on Saturday at the head of a Lebanese delegation to attend the funeral of Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday. According to information obtained on Wednesday by the Al-Markazia news agency, President Aoun will represent Lebanon at the solemn ceremony, highlighting the historic and spiritual ...

What We Know Ahead of Pope Francis’s Funeral

Pope Francis, who died this week at age 88 of a stroke at the Vatican, will be buried on Saturday. World leaders and worshippers will be present at his funeral before a conclave of cardinals is convened to elect a successor. Here's what we know about the processes leading up to the election of a new pope.  Lying in state  Francis's body was ...

Pope Francis's Death : The World Salutes a Paladin of Peace

Pope Francis died Monday morning in the Vatican at the age of 88, following a stroke, as announced by the Vatican. His death sparked a wave of emotion and reactions across the globe. Political leaders, religious figures, and faithful from around the world paid tribute to the Argentine pontiff, who left a mark on the Catholic Church through his ...