Following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025, the Roman Catholic Church has entered a solemn period of mourning and preparation known as Sede Vacante — Latin for "Vacant See".
The Holy See’s Office for Liturgical Celebrations has announced that the coffin of the late Pope Francis will be solemnly transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. Vatican time.
Pope Francis, dubbed the Green Pope, had made his stand clear for environmental protection and climate change, one of which was his issuance of the lengthy 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’ calling for care for our common home.
