Plans are already in motion for the funeral of Pope Francis.
One day after the leader of the Catholic Church died at age 88 on Monday, April 21, it was announced that the pope will be laid to rest on Saturday, April 26. His funeral, which will take place in St. Peter’s Square, will take place at 10 a.m. local time in Vatican City, per Vatican News.
The Dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, will preside over Pope Francis’ funeral Mass, after which his body will be transferred to the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome for his burial. He will be the first pope in over a century not to be buried in the Vatican’s St. Peter’s Basilica, per BBC News.
Pope Francis previously explained his burial place of choice, telling a Mexican broadcaster in 2023, “It’s my great devotion. The place is already prepared,” per the Associated Press. He will be buried near a statue of the Virgin Mary on display in the basilica.
Pope Francis’ Official Cause of Death Revealed
According to Reuters, Pope Francis confirmed in his final testament that he wanted to be buried “in the ground, without particular decoration” and with the inscription of his name in Latin, Franciscus.
The pope’s body was laid out in a private Vatican chapel on Monday. Public viewing will be held at St. Peter’s Basilica from Wednesday, April 23, through Friday, April 25, ahead of Saturday’s funeral.
The Vatican announced the pope’s death via a social media statement on Monday, just one day after he made an Easter Sunday appearance on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. “Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta,” the announcement read.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell said in a statement of his own, “His whole life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized.”
Donald Trump Is ‘Looking Forward’ to Attending Pope Francis’ Funeral
Farrell, 77, added, “With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the Triune God.”
Pope Francis’ death came after several recent health battles. He was hospitalized with bronchitis back in February and later developed double pneumonia and a bronchospasm. On Monday, The New York Times revealed the pope’s cause of death was a cerebral stroke followed by a coma and “irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse.”
Succeeding Pope Benedict XVI, Pope Francis was appointed as the head of the Catholic Church in March 2013, making history by becoming the first-ever Latin American pope and the first Argentine to take on the position.
The conclave process to begin the selection of the next pope will begin shortly after Saturday’s funeral, as it must take place within 15 to 20 days of the pope’s death.
President Donald Trump announced his and First Lady Melania Trump’s plans to attend Pope Francis’ funeral via Truth Social on Monday. “We look forward to being there!” he wrote.
