Final Glimpse of Pope Francis

VATICAN CITY — Before sealing the Pope’s coffin, it was the final moment for the faithful to gaze upon his beloved face- a recognizable face all over the world. It was a moment of silent farewell to the beloved Pontiff.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, led the Rite of Sealing for the coffin of the late Pope Francis on Friday, April 25, at 8:00 p.m., ahead of the papal funeral scheduled for Saturday morning.

The liturgical rite was attended by Cardinals and officials of the Holy See and was broadcast across all Vatican News channels.

The ceremony marked the end of the public viewing at St. Peter’s Basilica, which has witnessed thousands of faithful mourning the late pontiff.

More than 90,000 people have filed past the Altar of the Confession to pay their final respects since public viewing opened on Wednesday morning.

St. Peter’s Basilica remained open to the faithful until 5:00 a.m. Thursday, after which it temporarily closed for an hour and a half, before reopening at 7:00 a.m.

Philippine Diplomats Pay Their Final Respects

On April 23, Ambassador Myla Macahilig of the Embassy of the Philippines to the Holy See, Ambassador Neal Imperial of the Embassy of the Philippines to Italy, and Consul General Elmer Cato of the Philippine Consulate General in Milan joined thousands of Catholic faithful in paying their last respects to Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Basilica, where the late Pontiff lies in state.

Funeral Mass and Novemdiales

The Funeral Mass for Pope Francis was held on Saturday, April 26, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Peter’s Square. This also marked the beginning of the Novemdiales, the traditional nine days of mourning and daily Masses for the repose of the soul of the deceased Pontiff.

The Novemdiales Masses will take place daily at St. Peter’s Basilica, with the exception of the Divine Mercy Sunday Mass on April 27, which will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. in St. Peter’s Square.

Photo Source: Vatican News