A brown wooden casket with veins, plain, geometric, without decorations, placed in front of the altar and slightly tilted to allow the view of the faithful. The Pope in a red chasuble and a golden miter, a dark rosary intertwined between his fingers. Around him, a red cord and at the foot of the coffin, some floral tributes left by visitors.
In the background, two Swiss guards stand guard holding halberds. One of them is black, a symbol of the ‘plurality’ that now characterizes Swiss society, and by extension, the pontifical guard: an aspect that certainly would not displease Pope Francis.
Video The Pope in the coffin: red chasuble and rosary in hand
At the wake set up in the chapel on the ground floor of Casa Santa Marta, where the deceased Pontiff celebrated many masses, visitors line up this morning, especially Vatican employees with their families. There are also prelates, nuns, and officials from institutions connected to the Vatican. President Sergio Mattarella also arrives for a visit with his daughter Laura.
First, they wait in line under the sun in the square in front of the Vatican residence, which was the Pope’s home for 12 years. Then, once inside, groups enter the chapel where the Pontiff’s coffin is laid out. There are families, even with children, some of whom cry and make their emotions heard. People remain in meditation and prayer, sitting or kneeling at the benches.
The atmosphere is intense, with great participation and trepidation, always under the watchful eye of the guards who coordinate the influx and indicate the directions to follow. Some are moved to tears. Some are overwhelmed with emotion and have to leave.
At the end of the visit, everyone pauses for a few moments in front of the coffin, and silently bids their final farewell to the Pope. A detachment that, given the familiarity that has been built over the years with such a well-known personality, can only bring sorrow.
Tomorrow at 9:00 am, the body will be transferred in procession to St. Peter’s Basilica, passing through Santa Marta Square and Protomartiri Romani Square, then crossing the Bell Tower Arch to enter St. Peter’s Square and the Basilica through the central door. After the Word liturgy by Cardinal Camerlengo Kevin Farrell, open visits to the faithful will begin.
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