The world is mourning Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday aged 88 from a cerebral stroke and subsequent heart failure. Cardinals are meeting to plan the pontiff’s funeral, which will be held on Saturday.
Pope Francis approved a stripped-down funeral for himself last year, breaking away from some traditions entirely.
After death, his body is blessed, dressed in papal vestments and exhibited in St Peter’s Basilica for public viewing.
This is where hundreds of thousands will come to pay their respects, including foreign dignitaries and world leaders.
In the past, the pope’s body was displayed on a raised platform, but Francis’s simplified funeral rites removed this. He will be lying in an open coffin instead, breaking from previous pageantry.
Truss and Vance
During this sad time, some people on the internet couldn’t help but compare the meeting of JD Vance with the Pope a couple of days ago and Liz Truss meeting the Queen a few days before she passed away.
Vance, a Catholic who has clashed with the pontiff over the Trump administration’s immigration policies, met with Francis at the Domus Santa Marta for a few minutes “to exchange Easter greetings” on Sunday, the Vatican said.
“I know you have not been feeling great but it’s good to see you in better health,” Vance said to the pontiff in his wheelchair. “Thank you for seeing me.”
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