Pope Francis dies newest: Vatican confirms funeral date after releasing photos of pontiff in open casket | EUROtoday

China’s international ministry has despatched its condolences in an announcement launched greater than 24 hours after Pope Francis died.

“China and the Vatican have maintained constructive contact and carried out friendly exchanges,” international ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun stated.

“China is willing to make joint efforts with the Vatican to promote the continued improvement of China-Vatican relations.”

Their relationship has been troublesome one, together with a dispute over who appoints bishops.

China broke off diplomatic ties with the Holy See in 1951.

• The funeral has been set for Saturday morning in St Peter’s sq.
• It will happen at 9am UK time
• It might be celebrated by the Cardinals and dozens of world leaders
• The dean of the College of Cardinals, Giovanni Battista Re, will lead the service
• Re will ship the ultimate commendation on the finish of the service, which formally entrusts the Pope to God, and the physique moved to St Mary Major for the burial
• The funeral day marks the primary of 9 days of mourning
• At the tip of the mourning interval the conclave course of to pick out a brand new pope will start
• Public viewing of the late Pope Francis will begin beforehand, on Wednesday in St. Peter’s Basilica after a procession will take his casket from his Vatican residence

Ukrainian President Zelesnky is planning to journey to Italy for Pope Francis’ funeral, in accordance with a supply within the presidential workplace.

The funeral date is predicted to be introduced right now, as Cardinals meet this morning.

Cardinals assembly on the Vatican have confirmed the funeral will happen on Saturday 27 April at 9am (UK time).

This may also begin the 9 days of mourning.

The course of of selecting a brand new pope, conclave, will begin on May 5.

The Vatican individually confirmed the pope’s physique might be taken from his Vatican residence to St Peter’s Basilica for public viewing tomorrow morning.

Italian shops have shared unpublished work written by Pope Francis simply earlier than his demise.

“Death is not the end but the start of something,” the pontiff wrote within the preface of a ebook by Cardinal Angelo Scola which is because of be printed quickly.

“It’s a new beginning, as the title (of the book, Waiting for a new beginning. Reflections on old age) wisely suggests because eternal life, which is something those who love life experience on Earth in their everyday occupations, is to start something that will never end.”

“And it is precisely for this reason that it is a ‘new’ beginning, because we will experience something that we have never fully experienced: eternity,” he added.

​The Vatican has launched photos of Pope Francis in his open coffin, adorned in a purple gown with the papal mitre on his head and a rosary in his hand.

The photos had been captured within the chapel of Casa Santa Marta, his residence on the Vatican.

French President Emmanuel Macron has stated he’ll attend the Pope’s funeral, in accordance the native media.

Hundreds of hundreds of worshippers and dozens of world leaders are additionally anticipated to attend.

The funeral date is predicted to be introduced right now, as Cardinals meet this morning.

Cardinals have begun arriving on the gate of Saint’Uffizio to make preliminary preparations in preparation for Pope Francis’s funeral, in addition to the conclave to pick out his successor.

In this primary summit, solely probably the most pressing choices might be made, resembling:

• When the Pope’s physique might be moved to St Peter’s Basilica to be uncovered “for the homage of the faithful”
• The date and time of the funeral – in accordance with the apostolic structure, it ought to happen between “the fourth and sixth day after death”. That would put the date of the funeral between Friday 25 April and Sunday 27 April, with a number of Italian shops reporting the service is prone to happen on the Saturday
• Where the 135 Cardinals travelling to the Vatican to participate within the conclave might be lodged – normally the House of St Martha

• Discuss funeral bills and any preparations Francis had requested for his funeral
• When the conclave might be held the place the following pope might be chosen