The Vatican has officially confirmed that the funeral for Pope Francis, the beloved spiritual leader of over 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, will take place on Saturday, April 26, at 10:00 a.m. local time, outside St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.
The Pope passed away peacefully at 7:35 a.m. on Easter Monday, according to Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church. His death marks the conclusion of a historic papacy defined by humility, progressive outreach, and advocacy for the marginalized.
In line with Vatican tradition, the Dean of the College of Cardinals, Giovanni Battista Re, will preside over the funeral mass. At the conclusion of the ceremony, he will offer the Final Commendation and Farewell, officially entrusting the late Pontiff to God before his body is transferred to St. Mary Major Basilica for burial.
The Pope’s body will lie in state at St Peter’s Basilica beginning Wednesday, allowing the public to pay their final respects. His open casket will be displayed near the Altar of the Confession, where he will be dressed in traditional red papal vestments, wearing a mitre, and holding a rosary.
The casket will be transported from the Casa Santa Marta where the Pope resided to the basilica in a solemn procession on Tuesday, April 23, beginning at 9:00 am. Cardinal Farrell will preside over the Rite of Translation, a moment of prayer and scripture reading that will mark the beginning of public viewing.
The route will pass through Santa Marta Square and Square of the Roman Protomartyrs, exiting through the Arch of the Bells before entering St Peter’s Square and proceeding to the basilica.
Attendance condolences have continued to pour in from world leaders, religious figures, and ordinary Catholics. Among the first to confirm attendance at the funeral is Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, according to a report by the BBC.
Thank you, Pope, for earnest efforts in comforting all of us during these doubtful hard days.
You have always brought a smile to my face and unprecedented secure feeling in me. you are now in the best company you can ever have.