00:00Preparations for the funeral of Pope Francis have begun at the St. Mary Major Basilica
00:06in Rome where the late pontiff asked to be buried.
00:11Last year Pope Francis reformed the rites to be used for his funeral, allowing for such
00:16a burial outside the Vatican.
00:21The Basilica had special significance to Francis as the home of his favourite icon of the Virgin
00:26Mary, something many worshippers believe speaks to his humility and faith.
00:32I think it speaks about how much he wants to trust himself to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
00:40and it's a very, very strong and beautiful message to all of us.
00:46On Tuesday cardinals gathered at the Vatican to finalise preparations for the funeral and
00:51the upcoming conclave to choose his successor.
00:56They agreed that the public will be allowed to pay their respects beginning on Wednesday
01:01once the Pope's casket is placed in St. Peter's Basilica.
01:06The late Pope's body will lie in repose with a closed wooden coffin rather than displayed
01:11atop a bier as was customary in previous papal funerals.
01:15The funeral and burial have been scheduled for Saturday.
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