Rome is witnessing the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday, as his body is laid to rest in the Italian capital, with the attendance of a large number of world leaders and thousands of mourners.
اضافة اعلان
His Majesty King Abdullah II, accompanied by Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah, had traveled to Italy to participate in the funeral ceremonies of His Holiness Pope Francis.
Crowds of Catholic Christians and world leaders are bidding farewell to Pope Francis as his body is carried from the Vatican to his final resting place, a cemetery at his favorite church in Rome, which he personally chose.
Authorities expect around 200,000 people to attend the funeral, which will be held in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, starting at 10:00 a.m. local time (0800 GMT).
Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re will lead the funeral Mass at the front of St. Peter’s Basilica.
The Vatican stated that 162 delegations have confirmed their attendance, including dozens of heads of state and government, as well as many reigning monarchs.
After the Mass, the Pope’s coffin will be returned to St. Peter’s Basilica before the procession departs for the burial.
Tens of thousands of mourners are lining the six-kilometer route through central Rome, passing landmarks such as Piazza Venezia and the Colosseum, on the way to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, where Pope Francis will be buried—a church he frequently visited during his 12-year papacy.
