Vatican City, Apr 21 (AP) The Vatican has begun a Rosary prayer in St. Peter’s Square in its first public commemoration following Pope Francis’ death.

Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, led the prayer as the sun set over the city.

Francis died Monday morning at 7:35 am, after having offered a final blessing to the faithful from the square on Easter Sunday.

At the start of the Rosary, Gambetti bowed before an icon of the Madonna as a choir sang.

He said: “Hearing resounding in our hearts the invitation, “Do not forget to pray for me,” heard so many times by Pope Francis, we want to this evening to pray for him,” he said. (AP) GSP