The Vatican has announced that the funeral for Pope Francis will take place on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 10 a.m. local time (9 a.m. GMT+1).
The outdoor mass will be held in St. Peter’s Square, in front of the iconic basilica, with Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the Dean of the College of Cardinals, to preside over the ceremony.
The announcement followed a meeting of Cardinals in the Paul VI Synod Hall to finalise the funeral details, reports BBC.
According to the Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis, members of the global College of Cardinals are permitted to travel to Rome and participate in daily General Congregation meetings during this period.
Before a conclave to elect the next pope can begin, the College of Cardinals must first oversee the funeral and mourning process.
By church tradition, the Pope’s funeral is held between the fourth and sixth day after his death, followed by nine days of official mourning, known as the Novendiales.
Pope Francis’s body is expected to be moved to St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday, where it will lie in state, giving the public an opportunity to pay their final respects.
Private viewings will also be held for Vatican staff, heads of state, religious leaders, and members of the papal household.
In his final testament released late Monday, Pope Francis made specific requests for a simpler funeral. In contrast to the elaborate traditions of past pontiffs, he will not be buried in the Vatican.
Instead, his final resting place will be Rome’s Basilica of St. Mary Major, near the icon of the Madonna which he cherished. He also requested a simple wooden casket, deviating from the tradition of three nested coffins made of cypress, lead, and oak.
Meanwhile, mourners have begun arriving in St. Peter’s Square. Footage gathered by CNN on Tuesday morning showed people gathering, praying, and taking photos as they awaited more details.
During his papacy, Pope Francis became a global voice for compassion, speaking out on climate justice, the marginalised, migrants, and the LGBTQ+ community.
His legacy is expected to shape the future direction of the Church as Cardinals prepare to gather in conclave and choose his successor.
