April 22, 2025, 8:47 a.m. ET - Vatican City - Following the passing of Pope Francis, his funeral will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2025, at St. Peter’s Basilica, embracing the smaller, more intimate format that characterized his papacy. The Vatican confirmed that Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re will preside over the proceedings, which will align with the Pope's directive for simpler rituals issued last year.
Francis will lie in state before his funeral, starting Wednesday, allowing the faithful an opportunity to pay their respects at St. Peter’s. His body will be displayed in an open coffin, decked in vestments, unlike predecessors who were often elevated on ornate biers. Memorial Masses in memory of the Pope are being organized globally, including significant gatherings in cities like Sydney and Manila, and national mourning periods have begun in various countries, including Argentina and Italy.
Political figures from around the world, including President Trump and the UK’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer, are set to attend, presenting both recognition and planning challenges for organizers.
As the Vatican prepares for the transition, discussions over the next Pope—135 cardinals eligible to elect his successor—have emerged. Many Academy participants were already on their way following announcements of Francis’s death, which resulted from a stroke leading to further health complications.
Pope Francis, who took office in 2013, consistently championed social issues including climate justice and migration, marking substantial changes within the Catholic Church. His untraditional residence at the Casa Santa Marta rather than the Apostolic Palace exemplified his commitment to leading a life of commonality and accessibility.
International communities are reflecting on his legacy about social justice, compassion for the marginalized, and fostering interfaith dialogues. As various nations begin their mourning rituals, from South Korea to Venezuela, themes surrounding Francis’s outreach and care permeate the remembrances.
With every aspect of his funeral arranged to honor the ways he served as a pastor to diverse communities worldwide, it is clear that Pope Francis’s memory will continue to resonate through the lives he touched during his remarkable leadership.
In his will, he requested a simple burial at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome—a reflection of his profound humility that will undoubtedly shape the future course of the Vatican.
Francis will lie in state before his funeral, starting Wednesday, allowing the faithful an opportunity to pay their respects at St. Peter’s. His body will be displayed in an open coffin, decked in vestments, unlike predecessors who were often elevated on ornate biers. Memorial Masses in memory of the Pope are being organized globally, including significant gatherings in cities like Sydney and Manila, and national mourning periods have begun in various countries, including Argentina and Italy.
Political figures from around the world, including President Trump and the UK’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer, are set to attend, presenting both recognition and planning challenges for organizers.
As the Vatican prepares for the transition, discussions over the next Pope—135 cardinals eligible to elect his successor—have emerged. Many Academy participants were already on their way following announcements of Francis’s death, which resulted from a stroke leading to further health complications.
Pope Francis, who took office in 2013, consistently championed social issues including climate justice and migration, marking substantial changes within the Catholic Church. His untraditional residence at the Casa Santa Marta rather than the Apostolic Palace exemplified his commitment to leading a life of commonality and accessibility.
International communities are reflecting on his legacy about social justice, compassion for the marginalized, and fostering interfaith dialogues. As various nations begin their mourning rituals, from South Korea to Venezuela, themes surrounding Francis’s outreach and care permeate the remembrances.
With every aspect of his funeral arranged to honor the ways he served as a pastor to diverse communities worldwide, it is clear that Pope Francis’s memory will continue to resonate through the lives he touched during his remarkable leadership.
In his will, he requested a simple burial at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome—a reflection of his profound humility that will undoubtedly shape the future course of the Vatican.
