In a solemn declaration that echoes through the halls of history, the Vatican has officially announced that the funeral of Pope Francis will be held this coming Saturday, April 26, 2025, in St. Peter’s Square. The ceremony is set to begin at 10:00 a.m. local time, drawing pilgrims, world leaders, clergy, and the faithful from every corner of the globe to bid farewell to a pontiff who reshaped the papacy for the modern era.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the Dean of the College of Cardinals, will preside over the funeral Mass, marking a moment of reverence and gratitude for a spiritual leader who championed humility, inclusivity, and compassion throughout his pontificate. Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was the first Jesuit and the first pope from the Americas. His papacy, beginning in 2013, was characterized by tireless efforts toward social justice, climate advocacy, and outreach to the marginalized.
Following the Mass, Pope Francis’s body will lie in repose within St. Peter’s Basilica, allowing mourners an opportunity to pay their respects. Later, in accordance with his personal wishes, his remains will be transferred to the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome—a place dear to him, where he frequently prayed before embarking on apostolic journeys. His burial there, rather than in the traditional grottoes beneath St. Peter’s, reflects his enduring desire to remain close to the people.
In keeping with his lifelong emphasis on simplicity and humility, the Holy Father will be interred in a plain wooden casket, lined with zinc but free of the ornate trappings traditionally associated with papal burials. This decision mirrors reforms he personally championed—quietly rewriting the customs of the Church even in death.
The Vatican has now entered a period of official mourning known as the Novemdiales, a nine-day series of liturgical rites and prayers. During this time, the symbols of papal authority—most notably the Fisherman’s Ring—will be destroyed in keeping with age-old protocol, marking the end of his earthly authority and the beginning of the Church’s interregnum.
As the global Catholic community mourns the loss of a pontiff widely regarded as a “Pope of the Peripheries,” preparations also quietly begin for the next chapter. A conclave to elect Pope Francis’s successor is anticipated in early May, following the traditional mourning period.
Pope Francis leaves behind a legacy of profound moral clarity, gentle reform, and a vision of the Church as a field hospital for the wounded—a refuge of mercy in a divided world. His funeral will not only honor the end of his papal mission but also celebrate a life devoted to healing, hope, and the enduring message of the Gospel.
