UN chief Guterres, others to attend Pope Francis’ funeral
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is among the world leaders converging at the Vatican’s St Peter’s Square in Rome for the funeral of Pope Francis.
According to the UN spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, Mr Guterres left New York on Thursday for the burial.
Mr Dujarric said the secretary-general signed the Book of Condolences for the Pope at the Observer Mission of the Holy See before departing for Rome.
“On Tuesday, the UN flag will fly at half-mast to honour the passing of the late Pontiff,’’ he said.
Also, U.S. President Donald Trump and Argentine President Javier Milei are in Rome on Friday, the last day the Pope will lie in state in St. Peter’s Basilica.
This is prior to when his coffin is sealed in the evening in preparation for his funeral on Saturday.
The Vatican said 130 delegations are confirmed to attend the funeral, including 50 heads of state and 10 reigning sovereigns.
Tens of thousands of mourners have waited hours in line to bid farewell to Francis, who died on Monday after suffering a stroke at the age of 88.
By Friday morning, more than 128,000 people had filed past Pope Francis’ open coffin placed in front of the Basilica’s main altar to pay their respects.
Mourners filed past at times praying, at times holding smart phones aloft amidst instructions not to take photo of the late pontiff laid out in red robes, a bishop’s pointed miter and a rosary entwined in his hands.
St. Peter’s Basilica remained open most of the second night, closing for just a few hours. Mourners began arriving before dawn, and sprinted into the piazza when security reopened the flows.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell will preside over the closing and sealing of the coffin in his role of camerlengo, or interim Vatican administrator.
A white cloth will be placed over the Pope’s face, and a bag containing coins minted during his papacy will be put in the coffin along with a one-page written account of his papacy.
The work of the conclave to choose a new Pope won’t start until at least May 5, after nine days of public mourning.
Cardinals have started arriving in Rome, while 113 met Thursday morning to discuss church business.
They will meet again on Friday before taking a break for the weekend.
(NAN)
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