It was announced this evening that at the funeral of Pope Francis, taking place Saturday morning at the Vatican, representatives of migrants, the homeless, and prisoners will be in attendance—groups to whom the Argentine pontiff dedicated much of his ecclesiastical mission.
Just before Easter, the “pope of the poor” ordered €200,000 to be donated from his personal papal account to support young people incarcerated in Rome’s juvenile detention centres. The funds were aimed specifically at sustaining a small pasta-making workshop created by the youths themselves.
Meanwhile, large screens continue to be set up around the Vatican, allowing the faithful who cannot find space in St Peter’s Square to follow the funeral service for Jorge Mario Bergoglio.
The pilgrimage of the faithful to St Peter’s Basilica also continues steadily. At this point, it’s estimated that around 20,000 people have entered the basilica, and due to the massive turnout, its doors are expected to remain open even past midnight.
