5
gozotoday | FRIDAY • 25 APRIL 2025
NEWS
He also requested to be buried
in a simple wooden casket, un-
like his predecessors who were
buried in the traditional three
nesting coffins made of cypress,
lead and oak.
On Wednesday at 9am, his
coffin was moved to St Pe-
ter's Basilica for public viewing
ahead of the funeral.
Cardinals came together on
Tuesday to plan the funeral
proceedings, which will be at-
tended by global leaders includ-
ing King Charles and US Presi-
dent Donald Trump.
It was decided that the funeral
will take place outdoors in front
of St Peter's Basilica.
The dean of the College of
Cardinals, Giovanni Battista Re,
will lead the service.
At the end of the funeral, the
dean will deliver the final com-
mendation, a concluding prayer
where the Pope will be formally
entrusted to God, and the body
moved to St Mary Major for the
burial.
The pope urged the Maltese faithful to be open to those who need their help, in particular those fleeing persecution or war (Photo: James Bianchi/MaltaToday)
