Pope Francis’s Funeral Set for Saturday as Global Leaders Prepare to Attend
Pope Francis’s funeral will take place on Saturday in St. Peter’s Square, following a decision by Roman Catholic cardinals on Tuesday. The ceremony will be a somber occasion, with numerous world leaders expected to attend.
The 88-year-old pontiff passed away unexpectedly on Monday after suffering a stroke and cardiac arrest, the Vatican reported. His death marks the end of a papacy that was often marked by tensions with traditionalist factions but also saw him championing the marginalized and advocating for the poor.
Earlier this year, Pope Francis had been hospitalized for five weeks due to double pneumonia. However, he appeared to recover, making a public appearance in St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday.
On Tuesday, the Vatican released images showing Francis lying in state, dressed in his papal vestments, in a wooden coffin at the Santa Marta residence where he lived throughout his papacy. Swiss Guards stood watch over the casket.
Pope Francis’s body will be transported to St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday morning at 9:00 AM (0700 GMT) in a procession led by cardinals, allowing the public to pay their respects.
His funeral service will occur on Saturday at 10:00 AM (0800 GMT) in St. Peter’s Square, with leaders including U.S. President Donald Trump, Argentine President Javier Milei, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expected to attend.
In a departure from tradition, Pope Francis requested in his final testament that he be buried at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome, rather than St. Peter’s, where many of his predecessors are interred.
His sudden passing has initiated long-established Church rituals, such as the breaking of the papal “Fisherman’s Ring” and lead seal, to prevent their reuse. On Tuesday, cardinals in Rome convened to plan the next steps in the transition period before a new pope is elected.
A conclave to elect the new pope is expected to take place within 15 to 20 days, likely no earlier than May 6. Around 135 cardinals are eligible to participate in the election, which can extend over several days. Once a new pope is chosen, white smoke will rise from the Sistine Chapel.
There is no clear frontrunner to succeed Pope Francis, whose progressive stance often drew criticism from conservatives within the Church. Francis appointed nearly 80% of the cardinals who will elect the next pope, potentially influencing the direction of his successor’s policies.
In the meantime, the Vatican has allowed staff and officials to begin paying respects to the late pope at his residence in Santa Marta, where he lived since 2013, opting for a simpler lifestyle than his predecessors.
