They are ‘preparing for the pontiff’s death’. Read more:

Pope funeral ‘is being rehearsed’: Swiss Guard ‘prepare for pontiff’s death after the 88-year-old warned ‘I may not survive’ pneumonia

The Pope’s funeral is allegedly being rehearsed after the 88-year-old warned he may not survive pneumonia.

The Swiss Guard protecting the Pope, 88, is rehearsing his funeral, with members under a curfew as they are ‘preparing for the pontiff’s death’, Swiss newspaper Blick claims.

This comes after Pope Francis was rushed to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Friday with significant chest pain, having resisted calls to leave the Vatican for days.

Doctors diagnosed him with a ‘complex’ respiratory infection and barred him from taking part in several engagements, with the Vatican cancelling or rescheduling his papal audiences this week.

The Vatican on Tuesday confirmed the pneumonia and said Francis’ respiratory infection also involves asthmatic bronchitis, which requires the use of cortisone antibiotic treatment.

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Pope funeral ‘is being rehearsed’: Swiss Guard ‘prepare for pontiff’s death after the 88-year-old warned ‘I may not survive’ pneumonia
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14:50 GMT 19 Feb 2025, updated 00:21 GMT 20 Feb 2025
By MIRIAM KUEPPER and DAVID AVERRE

READ MORE: Where the popes are buried – and why Pope Francis wants to break tradition when he dies
The Pope’s funeral is allegedly being rehearsed after the 88-year-old warned he may not survive pneumonia.

The Swiss Guard protecting the Pope, 88, is rehearsing his funeral, with members under a curfew as they are ‘preparing for the pontiff’s death’, Swiss newspaper Blick claims.

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The Pope previously revealed he had ‘already prepared’ his tomb, but the location of his grave and the coffin itself would break with tradition.

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This comes after Pope Francis was rushed to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Friday with significant chest pain, having resisted calls to leave the Vatican for days.

Doctors diagnosed him with a ‘complex’ respiratory infection and barred him from taking part in several engagements, with the Vatican cancelling or rescheduling his papal audiences this week.

The Vatican on Tuesday confirmed the pneumonia and said Francis’ respiratory infection also involves asthmatic bronchitis, which requires the use of cortisone antibiotic treatment.

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‘Laboratory tests, chest X-ray, and the Holy Father’s clinical condition continue to present a complex picture,’ the Vatican said. The infection is of particular concern because the Pope had part of his lung removed many years ago.

Italian Cardinal Angelo Comastri, 81, told broadcaster Rai about the Pope’s condition: ‘Francis is very calm. His helm is in the hands of the Lord.’