6 hours Ago By Hayley Taylor
A touching farewell was offered to the late Pope Francis by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Saturday. His words come as the pontiff was carried in his casket from St. Peter’s Basilica to the public square outside, where a choir singing introductory rites in Latin marks the beginning of the funeral mass.
“Today the prayers of the faithful go with the Holy Father to his final rest,” Albanese said in a statement. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today “Pope Francis’ compassion embraced all humanity. His loss has been mourned all around the world, just as his life has been celebrated.
“While today’s funeral in Vatican City will be attended by leaders of church and state alike, we will remember Pope Francis as someone who dedicated his life, work and papacy to the poor and the powerless above all. “Even as we say our final farewells, we take comfort in knowing that the many legacies of his life’s work will always be around us. “May this man of peace be granted everlasting peace.
“And may God welcome Pope Francis to eternal life.” Following the funeral, Pope Francis will be buried in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore (St Mary Major) to which he had a special devotion. The last pope to be buried outside the Vatican was Leo XIII, who died in 1903.
The funeral cortege will travel to the basilica from St Peter’s, and crowds are expected to gather along the route, which is about 5.5km long. The burial will be a private service, but visitors to the tomb will be allowed shortly afterwards.
The papal funeral marks the first of nine days of mourning for the global church. Another mass of mourning will be held in St Peter’s Square on Sunday, led by Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who is often viewed as a leading papal contender..
