Updated 6.30pm, adds government statement

The funeral cortege of Cardinal Prospero Grech was on Wednesday taken to the St Lawrence church in Vittoriosa, where the cardinal was born and baptised. 

Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

A funeral for Cardinal Grech, who died in Rome on December 30 aged 94, was held at St Peter’s Basilica last week during which Pope Francis presided over the last part of the rites.

The cortege then made its way to the Augustinian convent of St Mark in Rabat.

On Thursday, the Cardinal will lie in state for people to pay their last respects and sign the book of condolences.

At noon, churches around Malta and Gozo will sound their bells in a funeral toll and at 1.40pm, the coffin will make its way to the Mdina Cathedral where Mass praesente cadavere will be celebrated by Archbishop Charles Scicluna at 2pm.

Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Government statement

In a statement in the evening, the government said it had declared Thursday a day of mourning.

National flags on government departments and entities will be flown half-mast.