Cardinals Gather in Rome to Finalize Mourning Plans and Schedule for Pope Francis’ Funeral and Novendiales Masses

On Wednesday, the College of Cardinals witnessed a notable increase in attendance during their General Congregation in Rome.

The gathering nearly doubled in size compared to the previous day, with 103 cardinals present, compared to around 60 the day before.

This influx of cardinals marks an important moment as they come together to make crucial decisions in the wake of Pope Francis’ passing.

Key Decisions Made Regarding Mourning and Requiem Mass

The cardinals began their second meeting with prayers for Pope Francis, acknowledging the loss of their beloved pontiff.

They quickly turned their focus to organizing the schedule for the Novendiales, the nine-day mourning period that begins with a Requiem Mass on Saturday.

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the dean of the College of Cardinals, will lead the funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Rome time on April 26.

Additionally, the cardinals discussed and finalized the schedule for the Novendiales Masses, which will take place daily through May 4.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, will preside over Sunday’s Mass at 10:30 a.m., while the remaining services will occur each day at 5 p.m.

Cardinal Voting Eligibility for the Upcoming Conclave

In line with tradition, all 252 cardinals can participate in the General Congregations, regardless of age.

However, only the 135 cardinals under the age of 80 will be eligible to vote in the upcoming conclave to elect the next pope.

Interestingly, this exceeds the traditional cap of 120 voting cardinals, a limitation that Pope Francis decided to waive during his pontificate.

The third General Congregation is scheduled for Thursday morning, as more cardinals continue to make their way to Rome for these historic meetings.

Thousands of Faithful Pay Respects to Pope Francis

While the cardinals continue their important work, the faithful are paying their respects to Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Basilica.

By Wednesday evening, around 20,000 people had passed through the basilica, a number that is likely an underestimate given the long wait times of up to five hours.

The ongoing steady flow of visitors highlights the profound impact Pope Francis had on the global Catholic community.

Media Coverage and Vatican Preparations for the Funeral

As preparations continue for Pope Francis’ funeral and the subsequent conclave, the Vatican Press Office reports that 4,000 journalists have already received accreditation to cover these monumental events.

With the eyes of the world upon them, the Vatican remains a hub of both spiritual reflection and logistical coordination during this significant moment in the Church’s history.