Sealing of Pope Francis’ coffin to take place early Saturday morning

The sealing of Pope Francis’ coffin will be taking place on Friday at 8 p.m. Vatican time or 2 a.m. on Saturday in the Philippines.

According to Vatican News, Holy Roman Church Camerlengo Cardinal Kelvin Farrell will preside the Rite of Sealing of the Coffin that will take place hours before the funeral mass.

The Office for the Liturgical Celebrations requested the presence at the Rite of Sealing of the Coffin:

• Dean of the College of Cardinals, His Eminence Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re
• Cardinal Priest His Eminence Cardinal Roger Michael Mahony
• Cardinal Protodeacon His Eminence Cardinal Dominique Mamberti
• Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican His Eminence Cardinal Mauro Gambetti
• Former Secretary of State His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin
• Vicar General of His Holiness for the Diocese of Rome  His Eminence Cardinal Baldassare Reina
• Almoner of His Holiness His Eminence Cardinal Konrad Krajewski
• Substitute of the Secretariat of State His Eminence Cardinal Edgar Peña Parra
• Vice Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church His Excellency Archbishop Ilson de Jesus Montanari
• Regent of the Pontifical Household Msgr. Leonardo Sapienza
• Canons of the Vatican Chapter
• Ordinary Vatican Minor Penitentiaries
• Secretaries of the Holy Father
• Other persons admitted by the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations

The rite will be the end of the public viewing of Pope Francis’ remains in St. Peter’s Basilica, ahead of his papal funeral at the St. Peter’s Square on Saturday morning, 10 a.m. Vatican Time or 4 p.m. Saturday afternoon in the Philippines.

Pope Francis’ funeral mass will mark the start of the Novemdiales or the nine days of mourning and masses for the repose of his soul.

The Novemdiales Masses will be conducted every 5 p.m. Vatican Time or 11 p.m. in the Philippines, except for April 27 for the Mass on Divine Mercy. — BAP, GMA Integrated News