Vienna, Apr. 21, (dpa/GNA) – Catholic Church bells across Austria will ring for 10 minutes at 5 pm (1500 GMT) on Monday to mark the death of Pope Francis, a spokesman for the Austrian Bishops’ Conference said in Vienna.

At the same time, memorial services will be held in thousands of parishes and dioceses, and prayers and devotions will take place, the statement continued.

On Monday evening, Cardinal Christoph Schönborn plans to hold a requiem for Francis in St Stephen’s Cathedral in the capital.

Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen praised the Argentinian as an “inspiration for millions of believers and far beyond” and a “beacon of hope.”

Chancellor Christian Stocker said the late pope will be remembered for his tireless commitment to peace, justice and tolerance.

The head of the Catholic Church died on Monday morning at the age of 88.

GNA

PDC