Cardinals set an appointment for funeral celebrations
After the death of Pope Francis Cardinals come together in the morning in the Vatican to determine the course of the funeral service. At the moment, the dead Pontifex is still laid out in the chapel of its residence, the guest house in Santa Marta.
The body is expected to be transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday so that believers can say goodbye to the head of the Catholic Church. The coming Saturday is the date for the funeral. State guests from all over the world are expected. US President Donald Trump also announced his coming.
The cause of death: brain beat
Francis was on Easter Monday after a long phase of serious illness in his residence died at the age of 88. In the history of the Catholic Church, only one other Pope became older. In the evening, the Vatican called a stroke of the death as the cause of death. In the spring, Francis was in the hospital with a life -threatening pneumonia with a life -threatening pneumonia.
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The native Argentinian is buried not in the Vatican in St. Peter’s Basilica, but in the Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore in the center of Rome. In his will published in the evening, he stated that only his name should be on his grave: Franciscus. In the Marienkirche there are already graves of earlier popes. However, the previous burial is more than 350 years ago.
Supporting more modest than with earlier popes
In addition, Francis still ruled during his lifetime that the funeral service takes place in a more modest style than with predecessors in recent times. In St. Peter’s Basilica, the dead Pope will not be seen on a catafalca – a high bahre – but in a simple wooden coffin. Another innovation is that the papal bishop’s staff is no longer next to the coffin as a symbol of rule.
From many countries in the world, condolence letters have been received since the death message – also from states in which the Catholics are in the minority. Worldwide, more than 1.4 billion people are currently committed to Catholic faith. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier called Francis a « bright sign of hope, a credible lawyer of humanity and a convincing Christian ».
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Conclave for the choice of the successor begins in early May
The Munich Cardinal Reinhard Marx said in the ZDF « Today Journal » that Francis had made the core of Christian faith visible for many through the way he acted freely and courageously. As a successor, someone is now needed who can « combine people who can bring people together – a person who is also spiritually shaped who comes from the gospel, as Pope Francis was ».
The former chairman of the German Bishops’ Conference is one of the three German cardinals that will choose the new Pope in the conclave. According to the current status, there are 135 cardinals from all over the world under 80 years. The election committee should come together in the Sistine chapel in early May.
The cardinals from all over the world – also to prepare the conclave – were convened by the Dean of the Cardinal College, Giovanni Battista Re, to Rome, as the Ansa news agency reported. All cardinals that have already arrived in Rome, as the « Vatican News » portal reported, take part in meetings such as today.
White smoke signals new Pope
The electoral courses are strictly secret. The conclave can be over after a few hours, but also days: there is no time limit. To choose from, the new Pontifex needs a two -thirds majority. When he is chosen, white smoke rises from a chimney.
A short time later, the new Pope on the Mittelloggia of St. Peter’s Basilica showed itself to the public for the first time. He is announced with the words « Habemus Papam » (we have a Pope « ). The current period up to the election is referred to as the sedis vacancy, the » time of the empty chair « . During this time, no important decisions may be made in the Vatican.
According to Catholic theory of faith, the Pope is the successor to the apostle Peter and deputy of Jesus Christ on earth. The official title is: « Bishop of Rome, governor of Jesus Christ, successor of the Apostle Prince, head of the entire church, patriarch of the West, Primas of Italy, archbishop and metropolitan of the church province of Rome, confidently of the state of the Vatican City, servant of the servant of God ».
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