Catholicos Garegin II to join papal funeral in Rome

PanARMENIAN.Net - Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II is scheduled to participate in the funeral ceremony of Pope Francis, according to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, reports RFE/RL.

The funeral will be held on April 26.

Italy has declared a five-day mourning period starting from April 22, following the death of Pope Francis, who passed away on the morning of April 21 at the age of 88. He had led the Catholic Church since 2013.

The decision was made during the latest session of the Italian Council of Ministers, which also addressed organizational matters related to the funeral and the process of selecting a new Pope, as reported by “Pastinfo”.

In his will, the 266th pontiff of the Catholic Church had requested a modest and simplified funeral. Leaders from several countries, including France, the United States, Brazil, and Argentina, have already announced their intention to attend the ceremony in the Vatican to pay their final respects.