The Vatican has declared a nine-day mourning period following the death of Pope Francis

The Vatican announced the beginning of a nine-day mourning period for Pope Francis, which starts on Saturday, April 26.

As reported by TUT.AZ with reference to the newspaper "Kommersant", the mourning events will last until May 4.

Many Catholic countries have already joined the mourning, declaring it at the national level.

The Pontiff died on April 21 at the age of 88. The farewell ceremony for the head of the Catholic Church began on April 23 in the majestic St. Peter's Basilica.

The funeral procession will take place on April 26. Notably, Francis himself ordered to simplify his funeral ceremony: his body will be buried in an ordinary wooden coffin instead of the traditional triple one, and the funeral vigil will be reduced to one instead of the usual two.