The Holy See has announced the details of Pope Francis‘ funeral and the events honoring the life of the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church.
The Vatican said the mass will take place at 10 a.m. CET on Saturday in St. Peter’s Square, where mourners from all around the world are expected to gather.
The death of the pope on Monday at the age of 88 has prompted an outpouring of grief from Catholics across the globe.
Pope Francis’s body laid out in state inside his private chapel at the Vatican on Monday. Pope Francis’s body laid out in state inside his private chapel at the Vatican on Monday. Vatican Media/AP/HO
What To Know
The Holy See said on Tuesday that this week’s events will follow the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis (Rite of Burial for Roman Pontiffs), a liturgical book detailing what happens before and during the funerary liturgy for a pope.
On Wednesday, the coffin containing Pope Francis’ body will be carried to St. Peter’s Basilica, where followers can pay their respects.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, which administers the office of the papal household, will preside over the rite of translation at 9 a.m. The Vatican released a book of celebration on its website for the event, containing prayers and hymns.
There will then be a procession through Santa Marta Square and the Square of the Roman Protomartyrs, before exiting through the Arch of the Bells into St. Peter’s Square and entering the Vatican Basilica through the central door.
At the Altar of the Confession, Cardinal Farrell will preside over the Liturgy of the Word.
Pope Francis died on Monday at the age of 88. Pope Francis died on Monday at the age of 88. Vatican Media/AP/HO
Saturday’s events
At 8.30 a.m. on Saturday, archbishops and bishops will gather at the Braccio di Costantino in the Vatican, wearing the amice and alb white liturgical vestments, the rope-like cincture worn around the waist, and a simple white miter on their heads.
At 9 a.m. patriarchs and cardinals will gather in the Chapel of San Sebastiano in the Basilica wearing the white damask miter required in the presence of the pope.
Then at 10 a.m., Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, will preside over the funeral mass in St Peter’s Square, along with patriarchs, cardinals, archbishops, bishops, and priests from across the world.
This celebration will conclude with the “ultima commendatio” and the “valedictio,” which mark the beginning of nine days of mourning and masses for Pope Francis.
The coffin will be taken to St. Peter’s Basilica, and from there to the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major for entombment. This is a break from tradition, as many of the pope’s predecessors have been buried in St. Peter’s Basilica.
Images of the late Pope Francis at the entrance of Buenos Aires Cathedral in Argentina on Monday. Pope Francis died on April 21, aged 88. Images of the late Pope Francis at the entrance of Buenos Aires Cathedral in Argentina on Monday. Pope Francis died on April 21, aged 88. LUIS ROBAY/Getty Images
What People Are Saying
In Pope Francis’ final testament, he wrote: “I wish my final earthly journey to end precisely in this ancient Marian sanctuary, where I would always stop to pray at the beginning and end of every Apostolic Journey, confidently entrusting my intentions to the Immaculate Mother, and giving thanks for her gentle and maternal care.
“I ask that my tomb be prepared in the burial niche in the side aisle between the Pauline Chapel (Chapel of the Salus Populi Romani) and the Sforza Chapel of the Basilica, as shown in the attached plan.
“The tomb should be in the ground; simple, without particular ornamentation, bearing only the inscription: Franciscus.”
President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social on Monday: “Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him!” He added: “Melania and I will be going to the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome. We look forward to being there!”
Former President Joe Biden wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter: “It is with great sadness that Jill and I learned of the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. He was unlike any who came before him. Pope Francis will be remembered as one of the most consequential leaders of our time and I am better for having known him.”
Former President Barack Obama wrote on X: “Pope Francis was the rare leader who made us want to be better people. In his humility and his gestures at once simple and profound — embracing the sick, ministering to the homeless, washing the feet of young prisoners — he shook us out of our complacency and reminded us that we are all bound by moral obligations to God and one another.”
What happens next
A number of world leaders have already confirmed they will attend Saturday’s funeral.
Among them is Trump, French leader Emmanuel Macron and Brazilian head of state Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has also said he would attend.
