Pope Francis’ Funeral To Take Place On Saturday
Pope Francis’ funeral will take place this Saturday in St. Peter’s Square, where mourners and world leaders will gather to honor the late pontiff. The Vatican confirmed his body will first be moved on Wednesday from the Santa Marta chapel, where he passed away on Monday after suffering a stroke and cardiac arrest, to St. Peter’s Basilica for public viewing.
The funeral Mass, scheduled for 10 a.m., will be led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re and concelebrated by church leaders from around the globe. After the service, the Pope’s body will be taken to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, where he requested to be buried, breaking with the tradition of entombment in St. Peter’s. The ceremony will close with the “Ultima commendatio” and “Valedictio,” starting nine official days of mourning.
President Donald Trump, along with other heads of state including Argentina’s Javier Milei and Brazil’s Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, are expected to attend the service. As cardinals prepare for the upcoming conclave, the Church begins its transition to select the next pope — a process that could begin as early as May 6th.
