The cardinals had to meet on Tuesday to plan the funeral of Pope Francis, which leaders around the world will attend before a conclave next month to choose a new head of the Roman Catholic Church.
Francis, 88, died unexpectedly on Monday after suffering a stroke and heart trial, said the Vatican, ending a often turbulent reign in which he repeated with the traditionalists and defended the poor and marginalized.
The Pontiff spent five weeks at the hospital earlier this year due to double pneumonia.
But he returned to his house in the Vatican almost a month ago and seemed to be recovering, appearing in St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday.
His sudden death launched ancient rituals, since the church of 1.4 billion members began the transition from one pope to another, including the rupture of the “fishermen’s ring” of the pope and the lead seal that any other person will be used by any other person.
“We want to thank the Lord for the gifts he has given the entire Church with the apostolic ministry of Pope Francis, a pilgrim of hope,” Cardinal Mauro Gambetti said, who directed prayers in the Plaza de San Pedro on Monday night.
All cardinals currently in Rome have been invited to meet at the Vatican at 9 am, where funeral plans were expected to make.
The president of the United States, Donald Trump, who repeatedly crashed with the Pope about immigration, said that he and his wife would fly to Rome for the event.
Among other heads of state to attend were Javier Milei, president of the native of Francis, Argentina.
The Vatican has said that he hopes that the ceremony takes place at some point between Friday and Sunday.
In a break of tradition, Francis confirmed in his final testament launched on Monday that he wanted to be buried in the Basilica of Rome or Santa María Mayor and not the Basilica of San Pedro.
The Cardinals meeting will also review the daily functioning of the Church in the period before a new Pope is chosen.
A conclave to choose a new Pope usually takes place from 15 to 20 days after the death of a pontiff, which means that he should not start before May 6.
Some 135 cardinals are eligible to participate in the highly secret ballot that can be stretched during the days.
At present, there is no clear favorite to happen to Francis.
Progressive
Pope Francis inherited a disorder church and worked hard to review the central administration of the Vatican, eradicated corruption and, after a slow beginning, faces the scourge of child abuse inside the ranks of the priesthood.
He ordered colliding with conservatives, nostalgic for a traditional adjustment, which saw Francis as excessive and too liberal accommodation for minority groups, such as the LGBTQ community.
Francis appointed almost 80% of the cardinal voters scattered throughout the world who will choose the next Pope, increasing, but without guaranteeing, the possibility that the successor continues their progressive policies.
Many of the cardinals are little known outside their own countries and have the opportunity to meet in meetings known as general congregations that take place in the days before they begin a conclave and where a net of the qualities.
The Vatican said Monday night that the staff and officials within the Holy See could immediately begin their respects before the Pope’s body at the Santa Marta residence, where Francis settled in 2013, avoiding the great apostolic palace in his predecessors.
His body could move to the Basilica of San Pedro as early as Wednesday morning so that the faithful visit him, said the Vatican.