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Pope Francis Funeral Draws Large Crowds Under Sunny Skies With Global Media and World Leaders Gathered at Vatican
Pope Francis' funeral took place six days after his death, at 88, on Easter Monday.
The funeral of Pope Francis is underway in St. Peter’s square, where hundreds of thousands of people have gathered, including 50 heads of state, 10 reigning monarchs and throngs of global media outlets providing coverage of the ritual expected to draws billions of viewers. In keeping with his stated wish to simplify the papal funeral rites, Pope Francis’ body has been lying in a wooden casket at St. Peter’s, having done away with the tradition of three coffins — two made of cypress and oak, and one of lead. The pope’s funeral, according to strict protocol, is to be followed at least a week later by the secretive conclave, in which 135 cardinals from around the world gather in the Sistine Chapel to elect the next Catholic Church leader.
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