South Korea's Culture Minister to Head Delegation for Pope Francis' Funeral
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Synopsis
South Korea's Culture Minister Yoo In-chon will represent his country at the funeral of Pope Francis in the Vatican, as appointed by Acting President Han Duck-soo. The funeral will be held at St. Peter's Square with a simplified liturgy as per the late Pope's wishes.
Key Takeaways
- The South Korean Culture Minister is leading a delegation to the Vatican.
- Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88.
- The funeral will be held at St. Peter's Square.
- The late Pope requested simplified funeral rites.
- The ceremony will include a Liturgy of the Word and a funeral Mass.
Seoul, April 23 (NationPress) The Culture Minister of South Korea, Yoo In-chon, is set to lead his nation’s delegation to the Holy See later this week to participate in the funeral of the late Pope Francis, as confirmed by a government representative on Wednesday.
The Acting President, Han Duck-soo, has designated Yoo to stand in for the government at the Vatican, although specifics about his departure and the delegation's size were not disclosed, as reported by Yonhap News Agency.
A similar delegation was dispatched in 2005 when then-Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan attended the funeral of Pope John Paul II.
As per the Vatican, the funeral of Pope Francis is scheduled for Saturday at St. Peter's Square.
The deceased pontiff's coffin will be transported from the Chapel of the Domus Sanctae Marthae to the Papal Basilica of Saint Peter, in line with the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis.
"Following the moment of prayer, officiated by His Reverend Eminence Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, the Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, the procession will commence. The procession will traverse Piazza Santa Marta and Piazza dei Protomartiri Romani; from the Arco delle Campane, it will enter Saint Peter’s Square and proceed into the Vatican Basilica through the central door. At the Altar of the Confessio, the Cardinal Camerlengo will lead the Liturgy of the Word, after which visits to the body of the Roman Pontiff will initiate," the Catholic Church government, operating from Vatican City State, stated.
The funeral Mass for the Pontiff will occur, as per the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis, on the parvis of Saint Peter's Basilica at 10 a.m. on Saturday, which marks the beginning of the Novendiali.
"The funeral liturgy will be led by His Reverend Eminence Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, with concelebration by Patriarchs, Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, and priests from around the globe," detailed the Holy See’s Press Office.
"At the conclusion of the Eucharistic Celebration, the Ultimo commendatio and Valedictio will follow. The coffin of the Roman Pontiff will be transported to Saint Peter’s Basilica, and subsequently to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major for burial," it further added.
Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta, had requested that his funeral rituals be streamlined and "centered on reflecting the faith of the Church in the Risen Body of Christ", as stated by Vatican News on Monday.
“The renewed rite," disclosed Archbishop Diego Ravelli, Master of Apostolic Ceremonies, "aims to highlight that the funeral of the Roman Pontiff is that of a pastor and follower of Christ, rather than a worldly figure of power."
The late Pope Francis had approved a revised version of the liturgical book for papal funeral rites, which will govern the funeral Mass, yet to be announced, in April 2024, the portal disclosed.
The second edition of the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis introduces multiple new aspects, including the management of the Pope's physical remains post-mortem.
"The declaration of death occurs in the chapel, not in the location where he passed away, and his body is promptly placed into the coffin," the report indicated.
At 9:45 a.m. on Monday, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, proclaimed the death of Pope Francis from the Casa Santa Marta.
"Dear brothers and sisters, with profound sadness, I must announce the passing of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His life was devoted to serving the Lord and His Church. He taught us to embody the values of the Gospel with fidelity, bravery, and universal love, particularly towards the underprivileged and marginalized. We express immense gratitude for his example as a genuine disciple of the Lord Jesus, and we entrust the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God," he stated.
The leader of the Roman Catholic Church had been battling respiratory issues and pneumonia.
