- Pope Francis's funeral will take place on Saturday, April 26 at 10:00 local time (09:00 BST, 08:00 GMT)
- The Pope will be buried at Rome's Basilica of St Mary Major, not in the Vatican
- His body will be moved to St Peter's Basilica on Wednesday for public viewing
- The Vatican has released images showing the Pope in an open coffin dressed in red robes
- Cardinals are meeting to arrange funeral details and prepare for the conclave to select his successor
The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Francis's funeral will be held on Saturday morning, as images showing the late pontiff in an open coffin have been released to the public. The death of the 87-year-old Pope has triggered an outpouring of grief from Catholics all over the world, with tributes flowing in from numerous countries, including recent peace talk participants.
Vatican Announces Pope Francis's Funeral Details
The Holy See announced this morning that Pope Francis's funeral will take place on Saturday, April 26 at 10:00 local time (09:00 BST, 08:00 GMT). The service will be held outdoors in front of St Peter's Basilica, following Vatican tradition. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, will lead the service.
According to the Vatican statement, the funeral will end with a final commendation - a concluding prayer where the Pope will be formally entrusted to God. After this, his body will be moved to St Mary Major Basilica for burial, as global leaders focus on diplomatic responses during this period of mourning.
The funeral is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of mourners and dozens of world leaders. French President Emmanuel Macron has already confirmed his attendance, with many other heads of state likely to join. According to Church custom, papal funerals typically happen between four and six days after death, drawing attention away from other global news including stock market fluctuations.
Unlike his predecessors, Pope Francis will not be buried in the Vatican. He specifically requested in his final testament to be laid to rest in Rome's Basilica of St Mary Major, becoming the first Pope in more than a century to be buried outside the Vatican. In his words: "I wish my final earthly journey to end precisely in this ancient Marian sanctuary, where I would always stop to pray at the beginning and end of every Apostolic Journey."
The pontiff also asked for a simple tomb "without ornamentation" bearing only the inscription "Franciscus." True to his humble nature, Pope Francis requested to be buried in a simple wooden casket rather than the traditional three nesting coffins made of cypress, lead, and oak used for previous popes.
The Pope's Final Resting Place and Funeral Arrangements
Pope Francis's choice to be buried at St Mary Major reflects his deep personal connection to this basilica and his lifelong devotion to the Virgin Mary. In his testament, he mentioned that the cost of his burial would be covered by a benefactor, which he had arranged to be transferred to the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major.
Starting Wednesday morning at 09:00 local time (08:00 BST), the Pope's body will be moved to St Peter's Basilica where it will remain until burial. This will allow the faithful from around the world to pay their respects as they file past his remains. The Pope's body is currently laid out in a coffin in the chapel of the Santa Marta residence, where he lived during his 12-year papacy, as tech companies prepare for service disruptions due to the anticipated global viewership of the funeral.
The Vatican has indicated there will be nine days of official mourning, known as the novemdiales, following papal tradition. During this period, special masses are celebrated in Rome and throughout the Catholic world, temporarily overshadowing news about Mark Zuckerberg's testimony and other tech industry developments.
For those planning to attend or watch the funeral, it's worth noting that April 25, the day before the funeral, is Liberation Day in Italy – a national holiday. This timing may affect travel arrangements for those coming to Rome for the funeral.
Images Released of Pope Francis in Open Coffin
The Vatican has released photographs showing Pope Francis in an open coffin, dressed in traditional red papal robes with the mitre (papal headdress) on his head and a rosary in his hands. The pictures were taken in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta, Francis's residence at the Vatican where he chose to live instead of the grand Apostolic Palace.
In the images, the Pope appears serene, with his hands folded across his chest holding a rosary. The red vestments symbolize the papal office and martyrdom. These images have quickly spread across global media, providing a final view of the pontiff who led the Catholic Church for 12 years, even as federal economic warnings continue to make headlines.
The release of these images follows Vatican tradition, allowing Catholics worldwide to see their spiritual leader one final time before burial. Similar photographs were released following the deaths of previous popes, including Benedict XVI and John Paul II.
The Pope's body will be available for public viewing starting Wednesday morning at St Peter's Basilica. Large crowds are expected to gather, similar to the millions who came to pay respects to Pope John Paul II in 2005, requiring security protocols similar to those implemented after campus security incidents.
Papal Succession Process and What Happens Next
Following the Pope's death, the College of Cardinals has begun meeting in what are called "general congregations." Their first meeting started this morning at 09:00 local time (08:00 BST, 07:00 GMT). During these initial meetings, the cardinals make urgent decisions regarding funeral arrangements and prepare for the conclave to elect the next pope, while tech companies face new challenges in the changing global landscape.
The apostolic constitution, called Universi Dominici Gregis ("The Lord's Whole Flock"), outlines the specific procedures that must be followed. Today's meeting will determine not only the funeral arrangements but also lodge accommodations for the 135 Cardinals traveling to Rome for the conclave.
The conclave itself – the secret meeting where cardinals elect the new pope – will likely be held between 15 and 20 days after Pope Francis's death. During this time, cardinals under the age of 80 (currently numbering 121) will be sequestered in the Sistine Chapel to vote. A two-thirds majority is required to elect the next pope, in a process occurring alongside OpenAI's legal battles and other technology sector developments.
Before the conclave begins, two ecclesiastics will present "well-prepared meditations" on the problems currently facing the Catholic Church and considerations for selecting the next Pope. These reflections help guide the cardinals in their discernment process.
During the general congregations, any documents Pope Francis may have left for the cardinals will also be read. This could include insights or guidance for the Church moving forward, similar to how consumer tech markets adapt to changing global conditions.
Global Reactions to Pope Francis's Death
The death of Pope Francis has prompted grief and tributes across the globe, from South Sudan to Argentina, Poland to the Philippines. In the Philippines, where Catholics make up about 80% of the population, people affectionately referred to him as "Lolo Kiko" (Grandpa Francis). When Pope Francis visited Manila in 2015, an estimated six million people attended his open-air mass – the largest congregation ever recorded by the Vatican.
In Argentina, the Pope's homeland, Archbishop Jorge Garcia of Buenos Aires held a special Mass honoring his predecessor. The archbishop called for Argentine unity in his tribute, reflecting the Pope's consistent message of solidarity, which resonates with recent African leadership recognition.
South Korea's acting president, Han Duck-Soo, praised the Pope for having "practiced a life of peace and reconciliation" and "delivered a message of love and solidarity to mankind through teaching that 'we are all brothers and sisters'."
However, as of this morning, China had not yet issued an official statement regarding the Pope's death, highlighting the complex relationship between Beijing and the Vatican. The two parties had reached a historic agreement in 2018 regarding the appointment of bishops in China, which was extended in November last year. Despite this agreement, tensions have remained.
In many countries, flags are flying at half-mast in honor of the Pope. In Australia, election campaigning was briefly paused this morning to mark his death, showing the global impact of his leadership beyond just Catholic circles.
Pope Francis's Environmental Legacy
One of Pope Francis's most distinctive contributions was his unprecedented focus on environmental issues. When Jorge Mario Bergoglio chose "Francis" as his papal name – after Francis of Assisi, patron saint of ecology – it signaled his commitment to environmental stewardship.
In 2015, Pope Francis published the landmark papal encyclical "Laudato Si" ("Praise Be to You"), ahead of the crucial UN climate conference in Paris. This document presented powerful scientific and moral arguments on the urgent need to care for Earth and fight global warming. He specifically highlighted how the effects of climate change disproportionately harm the poor and threaten biodiversity.
Throughout his papacy, Francis warned that the world's climate was nearing a "breaking point" and called for an accelerated transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. He consistently denounced what he called the "throwaway culture" of consumerism and systems that prioritize short-term gains and private interests over sustainable stewardship of Earth's resources.
His environmental advocacy posed a profound question: what kind of world do we want to leave our children? This perspective helped frame environmental protection as a moral and spiritual issue, not merely a political or scientific one, bringing new voices and perspectives to global climate discussions.
The Pope's environmental message connected deeply with his broader themes of economic justice and concern for the marginalized, creating a comprehensive moral framework that resonated beyond Catholic circles and influenced international climate policy discussions.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where will Pope Francis be buried?
Pope Francis will be buried at Rome's Basilica of St Mary Major after his funeral on Saturday, April 26. This marks a departure from tradition, as most recent popes have been buried in the crypt beneath St Peter's Basilica.
How is the next Pope chosen?
The next Pope will be elected by the College of Cardinals during a conclave, likely to be held 15-20 days after Pope Francis's death. Cardinals under age 80 will vote in secret ballots in the Sistine Chapel until someone receives a two-thirds majority.
How long will the public be able to view Pope Francis's body?
The Pope's body will be moved to St Peter's Basilica on Wednesday morning and will remain there for public viewing until the funeral on Saturday.
What will Pope Francis's funeral be like?
The funeral will take place outdoors in front of St Peter's Basilica. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re will lead the service, which will likely draw hundreds of thousands of mourners and many world leaders.
What was special about Pope Francis's papacy?
Pope Francis was known for his focus on the poor, environmental advocacy, efforts toward Church reform, and his more informal, humble approach to the papacy. He was the first pope from the Americas and the first Jesuit pope.
Why did Pope Francis choose to be buried at St Mary Major?
In his testament, Pope Francis explained that St Mary Major was where he "would always stop to pray at the beginning and end of every Apostolic Journey," showing his special devotion to this basilica and to the Virgin Mary.
Who will attend Pope Francis's funeral?
While the full list isn't confirmed, many world leaders are expected to attend, including French President Emmanuel Macron. Hundreds of thousands of Catholics from around the world are also likely to travel to Rome for the event.
What happens during the nine days of mourning?
The nine-day mourning period (novemdiales) includes special Masses and prayers for the deceased Pope throughout the Catholic world, concluding with the funeral.