The Vatican has announced that Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, will lead the solemn rite of the ascertainment of death and placement of Pope Francis' body into the coffin on Monday evening, April 21. The private ceremony will take place at 8:00 PM (GMT +2) in the Chapel of the Casa Santa Marta, the late pontiff's residence within the Vatican.
According to the Holy See Press Office, those in attendance will include Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, along with members of Pope Francis' family and senior Vatican medical staff-Dr.
Andrea Arcangeli and Dr.
Luigi Carbone, Director and Deputy Director of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene, respectively.This rite marks the beginning of formal preparations for the funeral of Pope Francis, who passed away earlier in the day at age 88.
