Former President Uhuru Kenyatta is among the key leaders attending a special Mass at the Holy Family Basilica on April 25, in honour of the late Pope Francis.
Uhuru, who was in Entebbe, Uganda, on April 24, joined opposition leaders, including Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and DAP-K boss Eugene Wamalwa, at the requiem Mass.
“We pray for the repose of Pope Francis' soul and give thanks for his life of service to the Church and humanity,” Musyoka wrote on his Facebook account.
Also in attendance were several opposition politicians,
including MPs, senators, and several governors.
Other dignitaries present included Chief Justice Martha Koome, Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu, PLP party leader Martha Karua, and former Attorney General and Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi.
Before the Mass, Uhuru and other leaders signed a condolence book placed outside the Basilica in honour of the late Pope.
The service, held just hours before the Pope's burial on April 26, was presided over by Bert Van Megen, Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya and South Sudan.
According to Vatican News, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, is expected to preside over the Rite of Sealing of the Coffin at 8:00 PM on April 25.
The liturgical rite will be attended by several Cardinals and senior Vatican officials, marking the end of the public viewing at St. Peter’s Basilica, where tens of thousands have paid their respects.
As the Pope’s body lies in state, over 50,000 people have filed past the Altar of the Confession in just 24 hours since the Basilica opened its doors to the faithful on Wednesday morning.
The Office for the Liturgical Celebrations has requested the presence of Cardinals Giovanni Battista Re, Pietro Parolin, Roger Mahony, Dominique Mamberti, Mauro Gambetti, Baldassare Reina, and Konrad Krajewski for the sealing ceremony.
Also assisting in the rite will be Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, Archbishop Ilson de Jesus Montanari, Monsignor Leonardo Sapienza, members of the Vatican Chapter, Ordinary Minor Penitentiaries, and others admitted by the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations, Archbishop Diego Ravelli.
The funeral Mass for Pope Francis will be held on Saturday,
April 26, at 10:00 AM in St. Peter’s Square, marking the beginning of the
Novemdiales—an ancient nine-day tradition of mourning and Masses for the repose
of a Pope’s soul.
