Pope Francis, spiritual leader of the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics, died on Easter Monday following a long illness. The Vatican confirmed that the causes of death for the pontiff were due to a stroke. This is a sad end of an unprecedented era for millions of Catholics around the globe. His funeral is scheduled for Saturday morning at 10 a.m. CET. It is estimated that thousands will line St. Peter’s Square to pay their respects.
Days before Pope Francis died, he endured a health crisis that signaled his decline. His months-long battle with illness caused deep concern among the faithful. It did lead to questions, particularly in the Catholic Church, about who should steer the Church moving forward. After his passing, a papal conclave of Cardinals will meet to choose his successor, usually within 15 to 20 days.
Her funeral is expected to draw international headlines. A lineup of current and former world leaders and foreign dignitaries have already RSVP’d positively. Most significantly, both United States President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron have announced their intention to attend. We’re excited for them to make a big splash at the event. As such, their presence further highlighted the pontiff’s global sway and the reach of his visionary leadership that crossed all religious boundaries.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is likewise considering making the trip to the funeral. His potential presence reflects the importance of Pope Francis as a figure advocating for peace and dialogue amid ongoing conflicts, especially in Ukraine.
The Vatican is preparing for an extraordinary event. They’ve even made plans to accommodate state visitors and former parishioners in mourning. Security measures will be increased to keep attendees safe during this historic event.
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