Vatican Finalizes Funeral Plans as Mourners Flock to Honor Pope Francis
The Vatican is in the final stages of preparing for Pope Francis’ funeral, scheduled for Saturday, as thousands continue to gather at St. Peter’s Basilica to pay their final respects. The Pope’s open casket remains on display inside the basilica, drawing long lines of mourners.
A large number of global dignitaries, including around 50 world leaders and 10 monarchs, are expected to be present at the ceremony in St. Peter’s Square. Among the prominent attendees arriving in Rome on Friday are U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
In response to the anticipated crowds and high-profile guests, Italian and Vatican officials have ramped up security. Measures include restricted airspace for drones, rooftop surveillance by snipers, and fighter jets on alert. Additional checkpoints will also be established on Friday evening.
So far, tens of thousands have waited in long queues to view Pope Francis’ body. His coffin is set to be closed at 8:00 p.m. Friday during a special ceremony led by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who currently oversees Vatican operations until a new pope is elected. The ritual, known as the “Rite of the Sealing of the Coffin,” will mark the end of the public viewing.
Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, passed away on Monday at the age of 88 after battling severe pneumonia. Despite his fragile health, he had made a surprise public appearance on Easter Sunday—his final one—against medical advice.
Visitors from around the world have come to bid farewell. Veronique Montes-Coulomb, a French tourist from Toulouse who witnessed the lying-in-state, recalled seeing the Pope at Easter and expressed shock at his sudden passing.
In his final message, Francis condemned those who spread hatred toward vulnerable groups, including the marginalized and migrants—underscoring the themes he championed during his 12-year papacy.
More than 130 international delegations are expected at the funeral. A temporary no-fly zone will be in effect during the event, which is likely to draw hundreds of thousands of attendees, according to Italy’s civil protection agency. The funeral coincides with a public holiday weekend, further increasing the expected turnout.
After the service, Pope Francis’ coffin will be taken in a slow procession to the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, his favorite church. A group representing the poor and underprivileged—whom the Pope consistently supported—will greet the coffin upon its arrival. He will be laid to rest in a modest grave marked with a single word: Franciscus. The tomb will open to the public starting Sunday morning.
Attention will then shift to the selection of the next pope. Cardinals from across the globe have begun arriving in Rome for the upcoming conclave. While the date for the papal election has yet to be set, Church rules require it to commence between 15 and 20 days following the Pope’s death. Only cardinals under the age of 80—currently 135—are eligible to vote.
Among the leading contenders to succeed Pope Francis is Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, followed by Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Ghana’s Cardinal Peter Turkson, and Archbishop Matteo Zuppi of Bologna, according to betting odds from UK-based bookmaker William Hill.
