In brief
The funeral of Pope Francis, who passed away at 88, will be held on Saturday, and preparations are underway as his body lies in repose.
Pope Francis's funeral is set for Saturday at 10:00 AM local time (08:00 GMT) in front of St. Peter's Basilica, as confirmed by the Vatican after cardinals convened to finalize arrangements. Starting Wednesday morning, Pope Francis's body will be displayed in an open casket within the basilica, allowing the faithful to pay their tributes to the beloved pontiff.Currently resting in the chapel of his Santa Marta residence, Pope Francis's body is scheduled to be transferred to St. Peter's Basilica in a solemn procession led by Cardinal Kevin Farrell. This departure, marked by moments of prayer and reflection, will see his body passed through the central church doors, offering a chance for public mourning.In a departure from papal tradition, there will be no private viewing exclusively for cardinals, as requested by the late Pope himself. He also wished for his coffin not to be elevated on a pedestal during viewing.The funeral will witness participation from patriarchs, cardinals, and clergy from around the globe, with the service crafted to honor his memory and legacy. Attendees, including bishops in liturgical dresses, are expected to converge on the basilica as early as 08:30 AM local time.This ceremony will conclude with a commendation followed by a nine-day mourning period for the Pope. His body will later be moved to St. Mary Major basilica for burial, marking a significant shift in burial traditions as Pope Francis chose this location over the customary crypt in St. Peter's Basilica.Heads of state and royalty, including US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron, are expected to attend the funeral, emphasizing the global significance of the event. Following the funeral, a conclave of cardinals will convene to elect a new pope, with the process expected to unfold within 15 to 20 days post-burial. Pope Francis succumbed to a stroke on Easter Monday, following health complications, leaving a profound impact as the Catholic Church's first-ever Latin American pope, elected in 2013.
