The Vatican has announced that the funeral mass for Pope Francis, who passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, will take place on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 10:00 am in St Peter's Square, with Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, presiding.

This solemn occasion will unite world leaders, clergy, religious dignitaries, and thousands of pilgrims who will come to bid farewell to this influential spiritual leader.

The eucharistic liturgy will be concelebrated by priests, archbishops, patriarchs, bishops, and cardinals from around the world.

Former President Donald Trump, accompanied by his wife, First Lady Melania Trump, are expected to attend the funeral.

Funeral Details

- Date: Saturday, April 26, 2025
- Time: 10:00 am
- Location: St Peter's Square
- Presiding Cardinal: Giovanni Battista Re

Paying Respects

On the morning of April 23, the Pope's coffin was transported from Casa Santa Marta to St Peter's Basilica in a solemn procession that began at 9:00 am.

The route passed through Santa Marta Square, the Square of the Roman Protomartyrs, and through the Arch of the Bells, entering the basilica through its central door.

There, Cardinal Farrell presided over a Liturgy of the Word.

Following the mass, the body of Pope Francis will lie in repose within St Peter's Basilica, allowing mourners to pay their respects before being taken to the Basilica of St Mary Major for burial, following his personal wishes.

The faithful will be able to visit St Peter's Basilica from Wednesday at 11:00 am until midnight, on Thursday from 7:00 am to midnight, and on Friday from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm.

Pope Francis frequently visited the Marian Basilica during his pontificate and expressed lifelong devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

He requested not to be buried in the traditional papal tombs located in the Vatican grottoes.

Final Journey of a People's Pope

Known for his advocacy for the poor and marginalised, humility, and reformist zeal, Pope Francis' death has led to an outpouring of global mourning.

His funeral, following Vatican protocol for a sitting Pope, will be led by the Dean of the College of Cardinals and attended by world leaders, clergy, and pilgrims from around the globe.

Pope Francis' remains have been lying in state at St Peter's Basilica, where thousands have already paid silent tribute.

Preparations and Security Measures

Vatican authorities are coordinating with Italian security forces to manage the expected surge in crowds.

International dignitaries, including royalty, heads of state, and religious leaders, are anticipated to attend the funeral.

A temporary no-fly zone has been declared over parts of Rome for this occasion.

The funeral mass will follow the updated Ordo Exsequiarum Roman Pontificis, the official Vatican rite for papal funerals, which Pope Francis himself revised in 2024.

His body lies in a simple wooden coffin lined with zinc, with his face veiled in silk.

Burial

After the funeral mass, Pope Francis will be laid to rest at the Basilica of St Mary Major in Rome, a site close to his heart and rich in Marian devotion.

His tomb will bear the Latin inscription of his papal name, Franciscus.

Conclave

The funeral marks the beginning of the Novemdiales, a nine-day period of mourning during which daily requiem masses will be celebrated in his memory.

A conclave to elect Pope Francis' successor is anticipated in early May, during which cardinal electors will gather to choose the next leader of the Catholic Church.

On the evening of April 21, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, presided over the rite of ascertainment of death and the placement of Pope Francis' body into a coffin at his residence, the chapel of Casa Santa Marta.

Present were family members, Vatican medical officials, and Cardinal Re, who confirmed that the Pope died from a stroke, complicated by a coma and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse.

His health had been severely affected by type II diabetes, pneumonia, bronchiectasis, and hypertension, according to Dr Andrea Arcangeli of the Vatican's health directorate.

Many Catholics are organizing local Masses and vigils in his honor.

What’s Next?

With the funeral set, the focus now shifts to the upcoming papal conclave, where 120 cardinal electors under the age of 80 will convene in secrecy to elect a new Pope.

The College of Cardinals is expected to gather within days following the funeral.

NAD/AE