A flood of faithful rejects Pope Francis on the first day of the chapel on fire without the date of the conclave
La Plaza de San Pedro witnessed the love on Wednesday that thousands of Catholics feel for the Pope Franciscowhose body was transferred to the morning by Casa Santa Marta inside the Basilica of San Pedrowhere the chapel on fire was established. From the beginning and under an intense sun, a human tide of pilgrims came from all over the world began to gathered in the square, while waiting patiently their turn to enter the temple. Gradually they advanced to the central nave of the Basilica, where, After doing up to six hours of queueThey were able to stop for a few seconds before the coffin of the Argentine pontiff. In the meantime, the world leaders continue to confirm their participation in this Saturday, to which 200,000 people should participate.
“After the group of people to see it and how close the central room of the basilica is … topy with an anterior impact. We saw it this morning on television, but but but Impacts to see it natural“A visibly excited visitor told Efe. At the exit of the Basilica – which will remain open until Friday afternoon for those who want to give the last farewell to the Holy Father – the very different groups were mixed, from school to religious, passing through tourists.
Among the travelers there was a group of friends who left on Monday at 22:00 in Murcia and arrived in Rome in the early hours of Tuesday Just to say goodbye This Wednesday of the Holy Father and almost immediately undertakes the return journey to Spain. “The Pope thought of the Spaniard and we connected to his thoughts, it was easy to understand,” said Pedro, who said he had suffered a “Great Shock” when you see Francisco’s coffin, What I lost my life this Monday After suffering a brain shot.
“It’s like saying goodbye to your father for the second time,” said Griselda Medici, an Argentine who lives in Italy for 23 years and said he had already lost his parents before. This woman described the number of people collected in the Vatican as A “ocean of love” towards the Jesuit. “The Pope was a migrant like me. Listen to him on Sunday with his Argentine characteristics, with that spark, that joke that escaped him … made you home. In these 12 years every time he watched him on television he said:”There he is! He is my father, “he added.
On the other hand, this Wednesday the Second general congregation of Cardinal College, the marinated meetings that take place after the death of the pontiffs. In one of these meetings The exact date must be said in which the conclave in which Francisco’s substitute is chosen will begin. As indicated in Rtve Cristóbal López, archbishop of Rabat and one of those who participated in these meetings, in the latter a specific day was not agreed. López limited himself to remembering that the cardinal assembly must start Between 5 and 6 May. This is due, as noted, that after the funeral nine days of mourning must take place to be able to celebrate it.
The transfer of the coffin
The transfer of the Argentine pontiff Started at 09.00When the Camarlengo Kevin Joseph Farrell He spread the blessed water on the coffin and read: “With great shock we accompanied the remains of Our dear Pope Francis From this chapel to the Vatican Basilica, where he exercised his ministry as bishop of the Church of Rome and apostle of the universal Church. “Then it was brought to a procession on the shoulder by” thirsty “pontifies and escorted by the Swiss guard.
The procession visited the Plaza de Santa Marta and that of the Roman protomarties before crossing the bell arch until it went to San Pedro, where she was welcomed by a Large applause at the entrance In the Basilica of San Pedro. In the meantime, hundreds of average have captured the moment from Arm of CarlomagnoThe terrace on the colonnade of San Pedro. Once inside, the coffin has been placed On the altar of confession, in front of the tomb of San Pedro and in front of the imposing Bernini bucket. After the opening for the faithful, at 11.00, believers began to move towards the inside of the temple.
One of the most emotional moments of the day was lived within the temple when A religious has skipped the protocol And it was close to the body. Era Sor Geneviève JeannosA friend of the Pope of the order of the sisters of Jesus who remained praying next to the body for several minutes. While It was not part of the protocol Who forces Cardinals, Bishops and Vatican staff to be the first to farewell to the Pope, nobody dared to tell him to leave.
Due to the high figure of faithful who moved to Plaza de San Pedro to shoot the Argentine pontiff, the Vatican reported that this Aims to expand the program Until after midnight so that believers can continue to visit it. Until now, the Holy See had established that the Basilica of San Pedro has remained open this Wednesday until midnight and this Thursday was reopened at 7.00 Until Friday at 19:00. Until the last minute of Wednesday they had passed through the coffin 20,000 people. The closure will be held on Friday at 20:00 Basilica de Santa María La Mayor.
Funeral assistants
While the on -flame chapel continues, the world leaders continue to confirm their funeral assistance. The last to join the list this Wednesday was the president of FinlandAlexander Stubb; The heirs principles of NorwayHaakon and put-marit; The president of CroatiaZoran Milanovic; and that of SlovakiaPeter Pellegrini. The kings of SwedenCarlos XVI Gustavo and Silvia and the Prime Minister, Ulf Kristerson, will also go to the ceremony. They also joined the Prime Minister of New ZealandChristopher Luxon.
THE Spanish delegation He will be directed by King Felipe VI and Letizia, who will be accompanied by the first vice -president of the government, María Jesús Montero; the second vice -president of the government, Yolanda Díaz; and the Minister of the Presidency, Félix Bolaños. Already this Tuesday has been learned that the president, Pedro Sánchez, will not go to the funeral, something that Moncloa justified This Wednesday saying that Spain will be represented by the Head of State. The leader of the PP, Alberto Núñez Feijó, who will also be part of the delegation, has considered A “decorated” that Sánchez is absent of the ceremony.
