Pope Francis passed away peacefully on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 after suffering a stroke at his residence, Casa Santa Marta, in Vatican City. His final words were reportedly a quiet thank you to his nurse, a moment of humility reflecting the values he lived by.
Funeral Schedule and Arrangements
The Vatican has announced that Pope Francis’s body will lie in state at St. Peter’s Basilica beginning Wednesday, April 23, where the faithful can come to pay their respects. He currently rests in an open casket at Casa Santa Marta.
The funeral Mass is scheduled for Saturday, April 26, at 10:00 a.m. local time in St. Peter’s Square. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re will preside over the ceremony, which will include traditional Catholic rites such as the Ultima commendatio and Valedictio.
In line with his well-known preference for simplicity, Pope Francis requested a modest burial. He will be interred at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome rather than beneath St. Peter’s Basilica. He also asked for a plain wooden coffin lined with zinc, foregoing the usual triple-coffin tradition.
Global Response and Mourning
The Pope’s funeral is expected to draw heads of state and dignitaries from around the world. Among those attending are former U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and Prince William representing the United Kingdom.
Following the funeral, the Catholic Church will enter a nine-day mourning period known as Novemdiales. A conclave to elect the next pope is expected to begin between May 6 and May 11 as cardinals gather in Rome.
Pope Francis leaves behind a legacy of compassion, reform, and humility that resonated with millions across faiths. His death marks the end of an era, and the world now turns its eyes to the future of the Catholic Church.
