Details of the ceremony and advice for pilgrims
The Holy Father Francis died on April 21 at 7:35 am at the age of 88. Within a few days after his departure, thousands of faithful gather in the Vatican to pay him tribute. Participation in the funeral of Pope Francis is a deeply moving event for many pilgrims. However, it is worth preparing logistically – get acquainted with safety rules, have a consular hotline number on hand and track updates transferred by the Polish embassy in Rome. Here’s what to know when going to this event.
Consular assistance in Rome
The Consular and Polonia Department of the Polish Embassy in Italy launched a special hotline for Poles coming to the funeral. The number +39 06 362 04 323 will be available from Friday, April 25, from 9:00 to Saturday, April 26, to 9:00.
Embassy representatives emphasize that in connection with the celebrations planned for Saturday, they will publish and update messages for pilgrims on an ongoing basis.
It is also worth getting acquainted with The pilgrim’s guide made available on the government’s websitewhich contains information about, among others safety, transport in Rome, access to healthcare and traffic organization.
The funeral of Pope Francis. Difficulties and safety rules
A special security zone was introduced around the Vatican, covering the area limited by the streets: Largo del Colonnato, Via dei Corridori, Borgo Sant’angelo, Via della Traspontina, Via Pio X, Borgo Santo Spirito, Largo Degla Alicorni, Via Paolo VI and Piazza Sant’Uffizio.
Therefore, one should take into account: restrictions in pedestrian and car traffic, parking bans in designated places and safety controls at the entrance to the zone around St. Piotr.
Where and when to pay tribute to Francis?
Basilica of St. Piotr was made available for the faithful who want to personally say goodbye to Pope Francis:
- Thursday, April 24 – from 7:00 to 24:00
- Friday, April 25 – from 7:00 to 19:00
It is recommended to arrive in advance due to possible queues and safety controls.
Where will the broadcast of Francis’s funeral?
For people who will not be able to personally participate in the celebrations, live broadcasts have been planned in the Polish media. The funeral can be seen in:
- Tvp1
- TVP Info
- Tvn24
- Polsat News
- And online on the Vatican News channel on YouTube.
It is also worth remembering that Friday, April 25, is a state holiday in Italy. Therefore, the Consular and Polonia Department of the Polish Ambassy will be closed on that day, except for the functioning of the aforementioned hotline.
Source: gov.pl / PAP / Fakt.pl
Pope’s doctor Francis about his last hours of life. « Nothing more could be done »
Services armed to the teeth. The Vatican turns into a fortress before the funeral of Pope Francis
