Swiss Guard denied rumors of a rehearsal for the pope's funeral ceremony

A spokesman for the Swiss Guard has denied rumors that the Guard is allegedly preparing for a funeral ceremony for the death of Pope Francis. The Blick newspaper reported on February 19.

"Earlier there were rumors that the Swiss Guard had already begun active preparations for the death of the pope. The Guard has a curfew in effect. A spokesman for the Swiss Guard on Wednesday denied the report. "We continue to work as usual," he said.

The interlocutor emphasized that regular security operations will continue unchanged.

At the same time, it is specified that the rapid recovery of the pontiff "is out of the question."

"The Pope has a very warm attitude towards Russia"

Artist Nikas Safronov - about the audience with Francis I, the future exhibition in the Vatican and the paintings of itinerant artists in the pontiff's chambers

February 14, the press service of the Holy See reported on the hospitalization of the Pope. On February 17, the pontiff was left in the hospital because of a respiratory tract infection. The next day it was reported that the Pope's examination revealed the onset of bilateral pneumonia.