The final rites for the late His Holiness Pope Francis is scheduled to take place today (26) at 1:30 PM Sri Lankan time.
The funeral Mass will be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, and the final ceremonies will be held at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican.
“The final rites of Pope Francis to be held today”
The public was given the opportunity to pay their final respects to His Holiness, whose body was lying in state at St. Peter’s Basilica, throughout the night for the past few days, and this concluded yesterday at 8:00 PM local time.
According to the final wishes of His Holiness Pope Francis, his body will be interred at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome.
Reports indicate that over 200,000 people, including numerous heads of state and representatives from various countries such as US President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden, are expected to attend the funeral. Foreign Minister Wijitha Herath is representing the Sri Lankan government at the Pope’s funeral.
Ajith Weerasuriya
