Unprecedented security measures have been put in place in Rome for the expected influx of pilgrims arriving to bid farewell to Pope Francis. About this reported Ambassador of Ukraine to the Vatican Andrii Yurash.
The diplomat noted that today the coffin with the pontiff’s body was moved from the chapel of St. Martha in the house where Pope Francis lived to St. Peter’s Cathedral, where the farewell is in progress.
“Of course, emergency security measures are currently in place in Rome – today alone, up to half a million pilgrims are expected to approach the coffin of Pope Francis, starting at 11 a.m. local time. In the following days, when it will be open for veneration until midnight (Saturday. – ed.), even more are expected to pay their last respects. So it is clear that these security measures are motivated in this situation.” Yurash explained.
He said that on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. Roman time (11:00 a.m. Kyiv time) a solemn mourning mass will be held, which will be attended by delegations from more than a hundred countries, headed by monarchs, presidents and heads of government. After the service, the coffin will be moved to the burial place in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. The ceremony will be held without official delegations — only in the presence of the closest people.
It will be recalled that Pope Francis died at the age of 88 on Easter Monday, April 21, in his residence – the House of Saint Martha in the Vatican. After being released from hospital on March 23, he made only a few public appearances and did not attend services on Good Friday and Holy Saturday.
On Sunday, April 20, the Pope held a short private meeting with US Vice President JD Vance. Also on Easter Sunday, he appeared in public for the last time, blessing thousands of believers in St. Peter’s Square.
