Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday at the age of 88 following a stroke, will be laid to rest on Saturday, April 26. His funeral is scheduled for 10:00 am (0800 GMT) in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican and is expected to draw massive crowds. Among those attending are world leaders including U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, both of whom have confirmed their presence to honour the beloved pontiff.
The Argentine-born Pope, who recently returned home after a five-week hospital stay due to double pneumonia, will be buried at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome—a departure from the traditional burial within the Vatican, making him the first Pope in over a century to be laid to rest outside its grounds. His coffin, made of wood and zinc per his wishes, will be taken into St. Peter’s Basilica before being transferred to his final resting place.
Cardinals convened yesterday morning for the first “general congregation,” initiating the traditional process that leads to the election of a new pontiff within three weeks. Only cardinals under 80 are eligible to vote in the conclave, which must begin 15 to 20 days after the Pope’s death.
On Tuesday, the Vatican released the first images of Pope Francis in his open casket, taken during a service held Monday evening in the chapel of Casa Santa Marta, the Vatican residence where he lived and died. Dressed in red papal vestments with a mitre on his head and rosary in hand, the Pope’s body will lie in state starting tomorrow at 9:00 am (0700 GMT) in St. Peter’s Basilica.
Tributes have been pouring in from all over the world for Pope Francis, hailed as a liberal reformer who became Pope in 2013 following the resignation of Benedict XVI. Argentina has declared a week of national mourning, while India has begun three days of state mourning—an extraordinary gesture for a foreign religious figure.
Notable figures such as France’s President Emmanuel Macron and football legend Lionel Messi have expressed their admiration for Francis, with Messi calling him a man who “made the world a better place.” Thousands of mourners gathered in St. Peter’s Square on Monday night, many holding candles or flowers in silent tribute.
“He made people see that in God’s eyes, it doesn’t matter your sexual orientation or race,” said Mateo Rey, a 22-year-old Mexican student. “That’s the closest to what Jesus taught.”
Born Jorge Bergoglio, Francis was the first Jesuit and the first Pope from the Americas. Known for his humility and simple lifestyle, he lived in modest accommodations and chose a plain tomb marked only with “Franciscus,” as stated in his will.
During his 12-year papacy, Francis championed causes like migrant rights, climate action, and social justice. He also pushed for reforms in Church governance, greater inclusion of women and laypeople, and financial transparency. While he made strides in addressing clergy sexual abuse, some advocacy groups argued that his efforts did not go far enough.
According to the Vatican, the Pope’s death was caused by a stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure. His apartment has since been sealed, in line with tradition.
