From AP:
Cardinals performed the ritual ceremony to transfer Pope Francis to St. Peter’s Basilica, where he will lie in state for the Catholic faithful to pay their respects to the Argentine pontiff.
The three days of public viewing are largely for ordinary Catholics to grieve the 88-year-old Pope, who died Monday after suffering a stroke.
- Francis’ funeral: The funeral has been set for Saturday at 10 a.m. in St. Peter’s Square and will be attended by leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
- Francis’ burial site: In his final will, Francis confirmed he would be buried at St. Mary Major Basilica, which is outside the Vatican and home to his favorite icon of the Virgin Mary.
- The next Pope: Eligible cardinals will vote for a papal successor in the Sistine Chapel via a process known as “the conclave.” The cardinals haven’t set a date for the conclave to elect Francis’ successor, but the current norms suggest it couldn’t begin before May 5.