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Vatican City is preparing to bid farewell to Pope Francis (88), the spiritual leader of over a billion Catholics worldwide, with a humble ceremony in line with his final wishes. Known for his modest lifestyle and down-to-earth demeanor during his 13-year papacy, Francis will become the first pope in more than 100 years to be buried outside the Vatican.
On Saturday, at 10 a.m. local time, the funeral will be held in St Peter's Square with the attendance of tens of thousands, including numerous world leaders. Pope Francis' body was placed in the chapel of the Santa Marta guesthouse, where he resided. His coffin will be transferred today to the square for public viewing, passing through Vatican landmarks including the Piazza dei Protomartiri Romani.
According to his final wishes, the pope’s open casket will be displayed at a low elevation in St Peter’s Basilica to allow close access for mourners. The public will be able to pay their respects until the day of the funeral.
Following the funeral Mass led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, Pope Francis’ body will be taken to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome, where he will be laid to rest. He had often prayed at the basilica after returning from international visits and requested in his will to be buried near his favorite icon of the Virgin Mary.
Breaking with the tradition of ornate coffins and elaborate tombs, Francis will be buried in a simple underground grave marked only with the inscription “Franciscus.”
In another unique request, the Pope asked that funeral expenses not be covered by the Church. Instead, they will be paid for by an anonymous benefactor, whose identity remains undisclosed by the Vatican.
Following his passing, the Pope’s private quarters were sealed and the Sede Vacante—the period between two pontificates—was officially declared. The Vatican will observe a nine-day mourning period.
Until a new pope is elected, Vatican affairs will be overseen by Irish Cardinal Kevin Farrell (77), the Camerlengo, or Chamberlain of the Holy Roman Church. The process to elect a new pope is expected to begin within 15 to 20 days.
Francis had been battling health issues in recent months. On Feb. 14, he was hospitalized at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital with double pneumonia and remained under medical care for 38 days before being discharged on March 23. Cardinal Farrell announced that Pope Francis passed away on April 21 at 7:35 a.m. local time. The official cause of death was stroke and heart failure.
The funeral is expected to draw global attention, with leaders from around the world confirming attendance. U.S. President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron were among the first to announce they would attend. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and European Council President Antonio Costa are also expected.
Other notable attendees include King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
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