UPDATED: Vatican Announces Funeral Arrangements for Pope Francis
The Vatican has confirmed that the funeral of Pope Francis will take place on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Central European Time (CEST) in St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City. The ceremony will be officiated by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the Dean of the College of Cardinals
Pope Francis, aged 88, passed away on Monday, April 21, following complications from a cerebral stroke and heart failure after a prolonged hospitalization for pneumonia.
In a departure from tradition, Pope Francis had previously expressed his desire to be buried in the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, rather than in the Vatican's grottoes beneath St. Peter’s Basilica. This decision reflects his preference for simplicity and humility, which characterized much of his papacy.
The funeral rites will include the Ultima commendatio and Valedictio, concluding with the sealing of the coffin, which will contain a written account of his papacy. The ceremony is expected to be attended by numerous dignitaries, including U.S. President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Argentine President Javier Milei.
The Vatican has also announced that the Novendiale, a nine-day period of mourning, will commence following the funeral. Preparations for the papal conclave to elect his successor are underway and are expected to occur between May 5 and May 10, 2025.
For those wishing to pay their respects, Pope Francis' body will lie in state at St. Peter’s Basilica, with public viewing beginning on Wednesday, April 23. This provides an opportunity for the faithful and dignitaries alike to honor his legacy.
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