VATICAN CITY — The Vatican has announced that the funeral of Pope Francis will be held this Saturday, April 26, at St. Peter’s Square. The decision was made by Roman Catholic cardinals following the pope’s passing on Monday due to a stroke and cardiac arrest. He was 88.
The late pontiff, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, died after a series of health complications, including a recent bout with double pneumonia. Despite appearing to recover in time for Easter, he passed away in the Santa Marta residence, where he had chosen to live during his 12-year papacy.
Images released by the Vatican show Pope Francis in his vestments, lying in an open wooden coffin. His body will be transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday morning to allow the public to pay their respects.
The funeral will begin at 10:00 a.m. local time (0800 GMT) on Saturday and is expected to draw dignitaries from across the globe, including U.S. President Donald Trump, Argentine President Javier Milei, Brazil’s Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
In a notable departure from tradition, Pope Francis requested to be buried at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome rather than St. Peter’s Basilica.
Ancient papal transition rites have been set in motion, including the destruction of the “Fisherman’s Ring” and the pope’s official seal. A conclave to elect a new pope is expected to begin between May 6 and May 11, with 135 cardinal electors eligible to vote.
During his papacy, Pope Francis was known for his progressive stances and efforts to reform Church governance, address clerical abuse, and champion inclusivity—stances that often placed him at odds with conservative factions within the Church.