Cardinal meeting

The cardinals who are currently in Rome meet this morning to start the pope’s funeral.

They are expected to decide whether the Pope’s body will be moved to St. Peter’s Basilica before the funeral, for the public to pay tribute.

His death starts a centuries -old ritual.

Cardinal Farrell will carry out the administrative and financial tasks of the Holy See until a new pope is taken over.

Prior to the meeting of the cardinal that will take place in the Sistine Chapel for Conclav-the secret meeting to which a new pope will be chosen-the church enters a period called « vacancies », or « the vacant seat ».

The pope’s body will remain in the chapel for a few days before being brought for public viewing in St. Peter’s Basilica, according to the new rites approved by Pope Francis last year.

The public will probably be able to pay a last tribute to Pope Francis from Wednesday, the Vatican said.

The date of the funeral has not yet been confirmed, but it must take place between four and six days after death and is to be announced after the Cardinal meeting on Tuesday morning.

After the funeral, there are nine days of official mourning, known as « Novendiali »