Camerlengo Kevin Joseph Farrell, a native of Dublin, was at the forefront of the Rite of Translation for the body of Pope Francis, which took place in the Vatican this morning, Wednesday, April 23.
“As we now leave this home, let us thank the Lord for the countless gifts he bestowed on the Christian people through his servant, Pope Francis,” Farrell said in his opening prayer in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta, according to Vatican News.
“Let us ask him, in his mercy and kindness, to grant to the late Pope an eternal home in the kingdom of heaven, and to comfort with the celestial hope the papal family, the Church in Rome, and the faithful throughout the world."
Farrell sprinkled the papal coffin with holy water before the procession, led by the College of Cardinals, through the Vatican’s Santa Marta Square, under the Arch of the Bells, and into St. Peter’s Square.
The late Pope’s coffin was placed in front of the Altar of the Confession, and the choir chanted the Litany of the Saints in Latin for the repose of his soul.
Farrell then led a brief Liturgy of the Word, which included a reading from the Gospel of John (17:24-26).
The rite concluded with the chanting of the Salve Regina, a Marian hymn that begins “Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy.”
Members of the College of Cardinals then paid their respects to the late Pope Francis, followed by the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Basilica.
You can watch the entire translation of the coffin of Pope Francis to St. Peter's Basilica here:
Pope Francis lies in state, draws huge crowds
According to Vatican News, over 20,000 people had gathered in the Square on Wednesday to pay their respects to the late Pope.
"Subdued but sustained" applause erupted as the Pope's coffin was carried into St. Peter’s Basilica.
St. Peter's Basilica will remain open to those who wish to pay their respects from 11 am to midnight on Wednesday, 7 am to midnight on Thursday, and 7 am to 7 pm on Friday.
However, Vatican News noted on Wednesday that the Press Office said it is not ruling out the possibility of extending the opening of the Vatican Basilica beyond the established time of midnight.
The funeral Mass for Pope Francis will then be held on Saturday morning, April 26, which the Vatican says will be the first day of the Novendiali, the nine days of mourning and Masses for the repose of Pope Francis' soul.
Ireland is set to be represented on Saturday by President Michael D. Higgins, Taoiseach Micheal Martin, and Tánaiste Simon Harris.
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