'Sources in Rome say Pope Francis' funeral likely to take place on Saturday' - Father Russell Pollitt, Holy Trinity Church
The pontiff died at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta on Monday at the age of 88.
A portrait of Pope Francis sits at the Catholic Church of St. Catherine in Saint Petersburg on 21 April 2025. Pope Francis, leader of the Catholic Church since March 2013, died on Monday aged 88. Picture: AFP
702's Bongani Bingwa speaks to Father Russell Pollitt, Parish Priest of the Holy Trinity Church.
Listen below:
Tributes are continuing to pour in for the late head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis.
Just hours before he died, he gave his traditional blessing from the balcony of the Vatican on Easter Sunday.
Father Pollit admits his passing was a shock.
ALSO READ: Pope Francis will be remembered as a champion of hope for poor & marginalised - Archibishop Makgoba
"We weren't expecting it, given the fact that over the last few weeks he had made more and more frequent public appearances."
- Father Russell Pollitt, Parish Priest - Holy Trinity Church
Pope Francis had served more than a decade at the helm after his predecessor Pope Benedict the 16th resigned.
Originally from Argentina, he was considered progressive for his views on the LGBTQI+ community and pushing back against church traditionalists and rightwing populism.
"He came geographically from a different place, he came theologically from quite a different place because of his experience in Argentina. He was an outsider."
- Father Russell Pollitt, Parish Priest - Holy Trinity Church
ALSO READ: 'He really had the heart of Christ in him' – Cardinal Wilfrid Napier on Pope Francis' legacy
The names of the cardinals who might succeed Pope Francis have been touted in international media, as the church begins preparations for the religious leader's burial.
"I'm hearing from sources in Rome that's probably going to take place on Saturday."
- Father Russell Pollitt, Parish Priest - Holy Trinity Church
"There will be meetings of the cardinals because they'll need to discuss what they think the church needs now, and they'll try and draw a profile of who the church needs and who might be the best person to lead the church at this time."
- Father Russell Pollitt, Parish Priest - Holy Trinity Church
Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.