Each cardinal will have sworn an oath of lifelong secrecy, as will every staff member supporting the process—from doctors and dining staff to Vatican officials. Anyone who breaks the rules faces excommunication
More than 200,000 people are expected to attend Pope Francis’ funeral, taking place on Saturday in the huge Vatican square that sits in front of the Basilica of St. Peter, Rome’s public transport company said.
The 88-year-old pontiff spent five weeks in hospital with pneumonia in February and March. According to his medical team, the pope came close to death during the illness.
Doctors have said Francis’ condition is touch-and-go, given his age.
“He is not out of danger,” said his personal physician, Dr. Luigi Carbone. “So like all fragile patients I say they are always on the golden scale: In other words, it takes very little to become unbalanced.”
