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The many messages from everywhere, since the death, Thursday, September 26, of Jacques Chirac, testify to the emotion that grips the political world and the citizens after the disappearance of the former president. This Monday, 80 foreign personalities are expected at midday at the solemn ceremony to be celebrated in the Saint-Sulpice church. Previously, all night at the Invalides, the crowd came to pay tribute to the former president. RFI is in special edition from 11am (Paris time) Monday, September 30 to follow the farewell of France to Jacques Chirac.
The gates of Invalides closed at 7 am on Monday, September 30 in the morning after being open for nearly seventeen hours . Those who decided to come this night were able to avoid the endless queues and were able to take a longer look at Jacques Chirac's coffin and photograph.
Solemn mass in small committee
Prime Minister Philippe Philippe also came, too, early this morning to gather before the official ceremonies. There will be, at 9:30 am, a solemn mass celebrated in the church of St. Louis des Invalides in small committee with the family. It is still unknown for the moment whether Bernadette Chirac will be present, very weakened after the death of her husband.
And after this first mass, it will be military honors in the courtyard of the Invalides, in the presence of the President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron. Ceremonies that will continue with a tribute at midday in Saint-Sulpice Church.
This church is a few kilometers from the Invalides. And, between the two, the funeral cortege that will leave at 11 am from the Hotel des Invalides will cross part of the capital. And this will be the last popular tribute that can make the population to Jacques Chirac, throughout the course, where security barriers have been installed. Then in Saint-Sulpice, a mass is planned. It will be broadcast on a giant screen.
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A hundred foreign personalities
Inside the church, not less than a hundred foreign personalities with presidents in office or not: for example former US President Bill Clinton, Russian Vladimir Putin or Congolese Denis Sassou-Nguesso. Of course, a lot of French politicians too. But Marine Le Pen will not be present as desired by the Chirac family.
Finally, in the early afternoon, it will be the burial of the coffin in the strictest intimacy this time at the Montparnasse cemetery where Jacques Chirac rest with his daughter Laurence, who died in 2016. The flags will be half mast and one minute of silence will be observed at 15h (Paris time).
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