The Death and Funeral of Pope Francis


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Last night, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, presided over the rite of attestation and placing of the body of the late Pope Francis in the coffin.


Video:
 
The attendance of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde at the funeral has been confirmed:





King Felipe, Queen Letizia and Queen Sofia signed the book of condolences at the Apostolic Nunciature in Madrid today, April 22:


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According to what I'm reading in the Italian media, also the Brazilian president Lula, the President of the European Commision Ursula Von der Leyen and the president of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola have already confirmed their presence. And of course the Italian President and PM.
We'll certainly hear more later today
german president Steinmeier has also confirmed his attendance
 
Can you explain on why he is the ex officio of basilica situated in Rome? Thank you in advance!
It is a tradition that dates back to the 17th century, when King Felipe IV financed the restoration of the basilica, the king himself has a sculpture in the temple by Bernini. The King of Spain is an honorary Protocanon, and one of the canons of the basilica must be Spanish. There is a papal bull recognizing these privileges, which are also recognized in the agreements between Spain and the Holy See.

King Felipe has yet to undergo an official naming ceremony, but King Juan Carlos had his ceremony. A few years ago, Juan Carlos and Sofía inaugurated the basilica's new lighting, which was sponsored by a Spanish company.

The French Head of State has the same privilege in the Basilica of St. John Lateran.
 
Last night, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, presided over the rite of attestation and placing of the body of the late Pope Francis in the coffin.


Video:
Cardinal Farrell was born in Dublin in 1947 and was appointed a Cardinal in 2016 by the late Pope.
The Cardinal is now Regent of the Vatican since the death of Pope Francis.
He will remain in this 'Apostolica Sedes Vacans' position until the election of a new Pope.
Who is Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the acting head of the Vatican?
 
Felipe and Letizia arrive this morning at the Apostolic Nunciature in Madrid.


It has also been announced that they will attend the funeral on Saturday.

 
As on Saturday is Kings Day in Netherlands I expect that Princess Beatrix will attend the funeral.
They didn't send anyone to the funeral of Pope Johannes Paul II., where almost everyone was represented, so i don't think they need to show up this time
 
More photos of King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, and Queen Sofía when they traveled to the Apostolic Nunciature in Madrid to express their condolences for the death of Pope Francis.


 
They didn't send anyone to the funeral of Pope Johannes Paul II., where almost everyone was represented, so i don't think they need to show up this time
Relations between the Protestant monarchs and the Vatican have improved considerably since then. And Queen Maxima is both a Catholic and from Argentina like the late Pope.

King Carl XVI Gustaf on the other hand mentioned in his message of condolences the visit that Pope Francis made to Lund signaling a rapprochement between the Roman Catholic church and the Lutheran church.
 
Relations between the Protestant monarchs and the Vatican have improved considerably since then. And Queen Maxima is both a Catholic and from Argentina like the late Pope.
Relations were already much better in 2005 and this is why for example the scandinavian Royal Houses were present for the first time at a papal funeral. And the catholic Maxima was already a member of the Dutch RF then.
 
The Dutch could dispatch former queen Beatrix seeing as its Kings day in the Netherlands
Relations between the Protestant monarchs and the Vatican have improved considerably since then. And Queen Maxima is both a Catholic and from Argentina like the late Pope.

King Carl XVI Gustaf on the other hand mentioned in his message of condolences the visit that Pope Francis made to Lund signaling a rapprochement between the Roman Catholic church and the Lutheran church.
The Netherlands also had a sizeable RC population ,its shrank considerably since the death of Pope John Paul II and they could have sent Irene or Maxima in 2005.It went on a downward spiral from 40% to 27% and then 20% and so on.
As its Kings Day they could still send former queen Beatrix,Roman Catholics still make up the largest Christian church in the Netherlands.
 
We shall see but i would not be surprised to see the protestant monarch’s there too, or someone from their royal house representing them… It would totally be in line with Francis mission that we should talk more with each other - not less, despite our differences….
 
Princess Irene is not a member of the royal house and can not represent the country. I am not sure Beatrix´ will attend either but it is a possibility. The prime minister Schoof, vice prime minister Keijzer or minister of foreign affairs are perhaps more likely options but we will see. Queen Máxima has remained catholic indeed, but her personal convictions should not be a part of these decisions, she will be expected to celebrate the national day.

The reason that officially catholicism is the largest religion at the moment is because it appears to be difficult to de-register, as many have tried and found out during Pope Benedikt's reign when the peadophelia scandals were causing many to reconsider their membership.

Whatever the situation is at the moment, historically and culturally the Netherlands is a protestant, calvinist nation. With or without the national day, I see no particular reason for the King to be there. He is not the head of the church, as is the case in the UK and in Scandinavia for example.
 
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For comparison, I looked up the guestlist of official delegations at the funeral of Pope John Paul II (the last pope to die in office) in 2005:



The royal guests included:


Predominantly Catholic countries

Andorra: H.E. Bishop Joan Enric Vives Sicilia, Co-Prince

Belgium: Their Majesties the King and Queen of the Belgians

Liechtenstein: H.R.H. Reigning Prince Hans-Adam III of Liechtenstein and his Consort
H.R.H. Princess Marie of Liechtenstein, H.R.H. Prince Nikolaus of Liechtenstein, Ambassador to the Holy See, and his Consort, H.R.H. Princess Margaretha of Liechtenstein

Luxembourg: H.R.H. Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg and his Consort, H.R.H. Grand Duchess Maria Teresa

Spain: Their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain

There was no official royal representation from Monaco.


Predominantly Christian (but not Catholic) countries

Denmark: H.M. Queen Margrethe II and H.R.H. The Prince Consort

Georgia: H.R.H. Princess Khétévane Bagration de Moukhrani, Ambassador to the Holy See, with her Consort

Great Britain: H.R.H. The Prince of Wales

Lesotho: H.M. King Letsie III

Norway: H.M. Queen Sonja of Norway

Romania: H.M. Michael I

Sweden: Their Majesties King Carl XVI Gustav and Queen Silvia

There was no official royal representation from the Netherlands, Samoa, Swaziland, or Tonga.


Predominantly Muslim countries

Jordan: Their Majesties the King and Queen of Jordan, H.R.H. Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, H.R.H. Prince Ghazi bin Mohammed

Kuwait: H.E. Sheikh Jaber Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah, H.E. Sheikh Michaal Jaber Al-Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah

Morocco: H.R.H. Prince Moulay Rachid

Oman: H.E. Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohamed Al-Salmi, Minister of Religious Affairs,
H.E. Sheikh Abdulla bin Salim Al-Rawas, Minister of the Regional Municipalities, of the Environment and of Water Resources

Qatar: H.E. Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, Crown Prince, Vice-Emir of Qatar

United Arab Emirates: H.R.H. Sheikh Abdulla Bin Zayed Al Nayahn, Minister of Information and Culture

There was no official royal representation from Bahrain, Brunei, Malaysia, or Saudi Arabia.


There was also no official royal representation from the monarchies of the non-Christian non-Muslim countries of Bhutan, Cambodia, Japan, or Thailand.
 
We shall see but i would not be surprised to see the protestant monarch’s there too, or someone from their royal house representing them… It would totally be in line with Francis mission that we should talk more with each other - not less, despite our differences….
Pope Francis seemed to make further efforts regarding ecumenism and interfaith dialogue ,I recall his 2016 visit to Sweden and his meetings with the Eastern Orthodox Churches.
Mary and Frederick ,Queen Silvia and Princess Madeleine along with the the Dutch king ,queen and daughters have all paid personal visits to Pope Francis at the Vatican.
 
For comparison, I looked up the guestlist of official delegations at the funeral of Pope John Paul II (the last pope to die in office) in 2005:



The royal guests included:


Predominantly Catholic countries

Andorra: H.E. Bishop Joan Enric Vives Sicilia, Co-Prince

Belgium: Their Majesties the King and Queen of the Belgians

Liechtenstein: H.R.H. Reigning Prince Hans-Adam III of Liechtenstein and his Consort
H.R.H. Princess Marie of Liechtenstein, H.R.H. Prince Nikolaus of Liechtenstein, Ambassador to the Holy See, and his Consort, H.R.H. Princess Margaretha of Liechtenstein

Luxembourg: H.R.H. Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg and his Consort, H.R.H. Grand Duchess Maria Teresa

Spain: Their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain

There was no official royal representation from Monaco.


Predominantly Christian (but not Catholic) countries

Denmark: H.M. Queen Margrethe II and H.R.H. The Prince Consort

Georgia: H.R.H. Princess Khétévane Bagration de Moukhrani, Ambassador to the Holy See, with her Consort

Great Britain: H.R.H. The Prince of Wales

Lesotho: H.M. King Letsie III

Norway: H.M. Queen Sonja of Norway

Romania: H.M. Michael I

Sweden: Their Majesties King Carl XVI Gustav and Queen Silvia

There was no official royal representation from the Netherlands, Samoa, Swaziland, or Tonga.


Predominantly Muslim countries

Jordan: Their Majesties the King and Queen of Jordan, H.R.H. Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, H.R.H. Prince Ghazi bin Mohammed

Kuwait: H.E. Sheikh Jaber Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah, H.E. Sheikh Michaal Jaber Al-Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah

Morocco: H.R.H. Prince Moulay Rachid

Oman: H.E. Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohamed Al-Salmi, Minister of Religious Affairs,
H.E. Sheikh Abdulla bin Salim Al-Rawas, Minister of the Regional Municipalities, of the Environment and of Water Resources

Qatar: H.E. Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, Crown Prince, Vice-Emir of Qatar

United Arab Emirates: H.R.H. Sheikh Abdulla Bin Zayed Al Nayahn, Minister of Information and Culture

There was no official royal representation from Bahrain, Brunei, Malaysia, or Saudi Arabia.


There was also no official royal representation from the monarchies of the non-Christian non-Muslim countries of Bhutan, Cambodia, Japan, or Thailand.
There was nobody from Monaco because Prince Rainier III. died just a few days after the Pope
 
For comparison, I looked up the guestlist of official delegations at the funeral of Pope John Paul II (the last pope to die in office) in 2005:



The royal guests included:


Predominantly Catholic countries

Andorra: H.E. Bishop Joan Enric Vives Sicilia, Co-Prince

Belgium: Their Majesties the King and Queen of the Belgians

Liechtenstein: H.R.H. Reigning Prince Hans-Adam III of Liechtenstein and his Consort
H.R.H. Princess Marie of Liechtenstein, H.R.H. Prince Nikolaus of Liechtenstein, Ambassador to the Holy See, and his Consort, H.R.H. Princess Margaretha of Liechtenstein

Luxembourg: H.R.H. Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg and his Consort, H.R.H. Grand Duchess Maria Teresa

Spain: Their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain

There was no official royal representation from Monaco.


Predominantly Christian (but not Catholic) countries

Denmark: H.M. Queen Margrethe II and H.R.H. The Prince Consort

Georgia: H.R.H. Princess Khétévane Bagration de Moukhrani, Ambassador to the Holy See, with her Consort

Great Britain: H.R.H. The Prince of Wales

Lesotho: H.M. King Letsie III

Norway: H.M. Queen Sonja of Norway

Romania: H.M. Michael I

Sweden: Their Majesties King Carl XVI Gustav and Queen Silvia

There was no official royal representation from the Netherlands, Samoa, Swaziland, or Tonga.


Predominantly Muslim countries

Jordan: Their Majesties the King and Queen of Jordan, H.R.H. Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, H.R.H. Prince Ghazi bin Mohammed

Kuwait: H.E. Sheikh Jaber Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah, H.E. Sheikh Michaal Jaber Al-Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah

Morocco: H.R.H. Prince Moulay Rachid

Oman: H.E. Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohamed Al-Salmi, Minister of Religious Affairs,
H.E. Sheikh Abdulla bin Salim Al-Rawas, Minister of the Regional Municipalities, of the Environment and of Water Resources

Qatar: H.E. Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, Crown Prince, Vice-Emir of Qatar

United Arab Emirates: H.R.H. Sheikh Abdulla Bin Zayed Al Nayahn, Minister of Information and Culture

There was no official royal representation from Bahrain, Brunei, Malaysia, or Saudi Arabia.


There was also no official royal representation from the monarchies of the non-Christian non-Muslim countries of Bhutan, Cambodia, Japan, or Thailand.
Regarding Monaco I believe that Prince Rainier III had also passed away (4 days after the Pope) and Prince Ernst of Hanover was in a coma in hospital.
 
The reason that officially catholicism is the largest religion at the moment is because it appears to be difficult to de-register, as many have tried and found out during Pope Benedikt's reign when the peadophelia scandals were causing many to reconsider their membership.

Yes, since a reform implemented in 2009, it is impossible to deregister as a member of the Catholic Church, even for people who were baptized or otherwise enrolled into the Church without their consent, or even against their will.

That said, it would be possible to ask survey respondents to identify their own religion, rather than asking churches to report the number of persons in their membership registers. I do not know which method is used in the Netherlands to measure the religious population.
 
Princess Irene is not a member of the royal house and can not represent the country. I am not sure Beatrix´ will attend either but it is a possibility. The prime minister or minister of foreign affairs is perhaps a more likely option but we will see. Queen Máxima has remained catholic indeed, but her personal convictions should not be a part of these decisions, she will be expected to celebrate the national day.

The reason that officially catholicism is the largest religion at the moment is because it appears to be difficult to de-register, as many have tried and found out during Pope Benedikt's reign when the peadophelia scandals were causing many to reconsider their membership.

Whatever the situation is at the moment, historically and culturally the Netherlands is a protestant, calvinist nation. With or without the national day, I see no particular reason for the King to be there.
The presidents of France, Brazil, the United States Italy, or Germany are not heads of any church either, but they will attend the funeral of a fellow head of state who also happened to be the leader of a church that has a considerable number of members in their respective countries.

Yes, since a reform implemented in 2009, it is impossible to deregister as a member of the Catholic Church, even for people who were baptized or otherwise enrolled into the Church without their consent, or even against their will.

That said, it would be possible to ask survey respondents to identify their own religion, rather than asking churches to report the number of persons in their membership registers. I do not know which method is used in the Netherlands to measure the religious population.
Why do people have to register their religious affiliation in the Netherlands? That seems very odd.
 
For comparison, I looked up the guestlist of official delegations at the funeral of Pope John Paul II (the last pope to die in office) in 2005:



The royal guests included:


Predominantly Catholic countries

Andorra: H.E. Bishop Joan Enric Vives Sicilia, Co-Prince

Belgium: Their Majesties the King and Queen of the Belgians

Liechtenstein: H.R.H. Reigning Prince Hans-Adam III of Liechtenstein and his Consort
H.R.H. Princess Marie of Liechtenstein, H.R.H. Prince Nikolaus of Liechtenstein, Ambassador to the Holy See, and his Consort, H.R.H. Princess Margaretha of Liechtenstein

Luxembourg: H.R.H. Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg and his Consort, H.R.H. Grand Duchess Maria Teresa

Spain: Their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain

There was no official royal representation from Monaco.


Predominantly Christian (but not Catholic) countries

Denmark: H.M. Queen Margrethe II and H.R.H. The Prince Consort

Georgia: H.R.H. Princess Khétévane Bagration de Moukhrani, Ambassador to the Holy See, with her Consort

Great Britain: H.R.H. The Prince of Wales

Lesotho: H.M. King Letsie III

Norway: H.M. Queen Sonja of Norway

Romania: H.M. Michael I

Sweden: Their Majesties King Carl XVI Gustav and Queen Silvia

There was no official royal representation from the Netherlands, Samoa, Swaziland, or Tonga.


Predominantly Muslim countries

Jordan: Their Majesties the King and Queen of Jordan, H.R.H. Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, H.R.H. Prince Ghazi bin Mohammed

Kuwait: H.E. Sheikh Jaber Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah, H.E. Sheikh Michaal Jaber Al-Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah

Morocco: H.R.H. Prince Moulay Rachid

Oman: H.E. Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohamed Al-Salmi, Minister of Religious Affairs,
H.E. Sheikh Abdulla bin Salim Al-Rawas, Minister of the Regional Municipalities, of the Environment and of Water Resources

Qatar: H.E. Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, Crown Prince, Vice-Emir of Qatar

United Arab Emirates: H.R.H. Sheikh Abdulla Bin Zayed Al Nayahn, Minister of Information and Culture

There was no official royal representation from Bahrain, Brunei, Malaysia, or Saudi Arabia.


There was also no official royal representation from the monarchies of the non-Christian non-Muslim countries of Bhutan, Cambodia, Japan, or Thailand.
There are several royal houses that have yet to confirm who will be present at Pope Francis' funeral. But I hope that the Prince of Wales will be present from the United Kingdom and, if possible, the Princess too. From Norway I believe Crown Prince Haakon is present. From Sweden probably the King and Queen. From Denmark, Queen Mary (King Frederik is returning from Japan on that date so it is almost impossible for him to attend the funeral). Albert and Charlene are expected to go from Monaco, and Prince Alois and Princess Sophie from Liechtenstein.
It's an unknown from Holland because King's Day is on Saturday.
Will non-reigning royal houses also be represented?
 
Why do people have to register their religious affiliation in the Netherlands? That seems very odd.
Religious affiliations are compiled in the UK and Ireland on the census records ,I'm not sure about other countries.
In the UK census are held every 10 years and in the Irish Republic every 5 years.
 
Religious affiliations are compiled in the UK and Ireland on the census records ,I'm not sure about other countries.
In the UK census are held every 10 years and in the Irish Republic every 5 years.
In the US, federal law, I think, prohibits the Census bureau from collecting data on religious affiliation. Many other countries in the Americas (for example, Brazil) don't ask about religious affiliation in the Census either.

Going back to the funeral, I would expect non-reigning Catholic houses (for example, Savoia, Bragança, Orléans, Habsburg, Wittelsbach) to be represented, but I am not sure if the Vatican would extend an invitation specifically to them.
 
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So far the only royals who have confirmed attendance are the Belgian and Spanish Monarchs and consorts .
Sir Keir Starmer,the UK's PM confirmed he will be attending.
Other confirmations so far :
President Emmanuel Macron of France
The current US President and First Lady
Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa from the EU
The President of Argentina
The Ukrainian President is reportedly planning to attend (not confirmed)
Who will attend Pope Francis' funeral? Confirmed dignitaries and royals revealed

The Norwegian Crown Prince is in Poland on a 3 day visit ,his mother was just discharged from hospital and I can't see the king attending.
 
So far the only royals who have confirmed attendance are the Belgian and Spanish Monarchs and consorts .
Sir Keir Starmer,the UK's PM confirmed he will be attending.
Other confirmations so far :
President Emmanuel Macron of France
The current US President and First Lady
Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa from the EU
The President of Argentina
The Ukrainian President is reportedly planning to attend (not confirmed)
Who will attend Pope Francis' funeral? Confirmed dignitaries and royals revealed

The Norwegian Crown Prince is in Poland on a 3 day visit ,his mother was just discharged from hospital and I can't see the king attending.
The President of Brazil, Lula da Silva, also announced he would be attending with his (second)) wife (he was a widower before remarrying recently).
 
So far the only royals who have confirmed attendance are the Belgian and Spanish Monarchs and consorts .
Sir Keir Starmer,the UK's PM confirmed he will be attending.
Other confirmations so far :
President Emmanuel Macron of France
The current US President and First Lady
Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa from the EU
The President of Argentina
The Ukrainian President is reportedly planning to attend (not confirmed)
Who will attend Pope Francis' funeral? Confirmed dignitaries and royals revealed

The Norwegian Crown Prince is in Poland on a 3 day visit ,his mother was just discharged from hospital and I can't see the king attending.
The presence of the President of the Portuguese Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Volodymyr Zelensky, Donald Trump and the President of Brazil, Lula da Silva has also been confirmed.
 
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