Maseru, Apr. 23–Pope Francis is reported to be lying in state in St Peter’s Basilica, in Rome, where thousands of mourners are filing past his open casket which will be there until Friday night before his burial on Saturday.
Vatican news reports that at his request, the Pope’s coffin was placed low to the ground, breaking for the first time the Vatican’s tradition to place the body of the pontiff on a catafalque.
It further reports that the Pope’s casket will be closed at 7pm UK time on Friday and there will be a ceremony for the closure.
The Vatican has confirmed the cardinals who will be part of the Pope’s burial during the funeral on Saturday such as Italian cardinal Giovanni Battista…PM/BM
