Pope Francis Lies in State: Vatican Prepares for Global Mourners and Papal Conclave

Public Viewing and Mourning

• 🕊️ Pope Francis will lie in state at St. Peter's Basilica, with hundreds of thousands of mourners expected to pay their respects.
• 🙏 Mourners have already gathered in St. Peter's Square to pray the rosary and remember the pontiff, who held an approximately 80% approval rating.
• 📸 The first images of the Pope in his vestments, holding a rosary in his casket, were released from the Santa Marta residence where he lived.

Funeral Arrangements and Dignitaries

• procession led by cardinals will move Pope Francis's body to St. Peter's Basilica on Wednesday morning, where it will lie in state until Friday evening.
• 🌍 The funeral Mass is scheduled for Saturday morning, with international dignitaries including President Trump and Prince William of the UK in attendance.
• ⛪ A burial will take place at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, a church the Pope frequently visited.

Transition and Papal Conclave

• ⏳ There is a sense of a void and anticipation regarding the next steps following the Pope's passing.
• 🗓️ The Vatican has not yet confirmed the exact timing for the papal conclave, where cardinals will elect a new Pope in the Sistine Chapel.
• 🗳️ The conclave is expected to begin between May 6th and May 12th.

Final Hours

• 😔 The Pope's health aide reported that Francis waved goodbye before lapsing into a coma and dying peacefully.
• 💔 This occurred just hours after the Pope's final visit to the faithful in the Vatican.