Myeongdong Cathedral hosts memorial altar for late Pope Francis
A picture of Pope Francis is hung on the outer wall of Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap
The Korean Catholic Church will send a three-member delegation to the Vatican for the funeral Mass of Pope Francis, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea (CBCK) said Tuesday.
The delegation will consist of Bishop Mathias Lee Yong-hoon, president of the CBCK; Cardinal Andrew Yeom Soo-jung, former archbishop of Seoul; and Lim Min-kyun, director of the CBCK's public relations department.
While papal funerals are traditionally held in St. Peter's Square, the Vatican has yet to announce the date or location of the ceremony. Church officials said the decision to send a small delegation reflects the late pontiff's wishes for a modest funeral.
The CBCK will not hold an official national memorial Mass. Instead, individual dioceses will be allowed to celebrate memorial Masses at their own discretion.
Memorial altars for the late pope have been set up at the Apostolic Nunciature in Seoul and in the underground chapel of Myeongdong Cathedral for the public to pay tribute.
Following a private moment of prayer by Catholic leaders, including Cardinal Yeom and Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick of the Seoul Archdiocese, at the Myeongdong Cathedral altar, the general public was welcomed to pay their respects beginning at 3 p.m.
Church officials, including senior members of the CBCK and government figures, are expected to visit the same altar in the coming days.
The duration of public access to the altars will coincide with the official Vatican funeral schedule once it is announced, according to the Archdiocese of Seoul.
Pope Francis died on Monday at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta.