Images of Pope Francis’ body in a velvet-lined wooden casket have been released by the Vatican as throngs of supporters flock to pay their respects to the late pontiff. The 88-year-old died on Easter Monday of a heart attack following a stroke. His funeral will take place in St Peter’s Square this Saturday, followed by nine days of official mourning. Vatican officials confirmed that the pope’s body will be transported on Wednesday from the chapel of the Santa Marta residence where he lived to St Peter’s Basilica, where he will lie in state until Friday in an open casket for public viewing. Francis’ last will and testament requested he be buried in a simple underground tomb in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major—in Rome rather than the Vatican. He wrote: “I wish my final earthly journey to end precisely in this ancient Marian sanctuary, where I would always stop to pray at the beginning and end of every apostolic journey, confidently entrusting my intentions to the Immaculate Mother, and giving thanks for her gentle and maternal care.” Multiple world leaders are preparing to travel to Rome to attend the funeral on Saturday, including President Donald Trump, who met the Pope in 2017 and called him a “good man.” JD Vance, who was among the last people to meet the pontiff before his death, will not attend.
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