Pope Francis’ funeral will take place on Saturday, the Vatican announced Tuesday, after the College of Cardinals met for the first time since the Catholic leader’s death to plan for his last rites and the process of choosing his successor.
Pope Francis’s body is laid out in state inside his private chapel at the Vatican.
Vatican Media
Key Takeaways
- The pope’s funeral is set to take place a 10 a.m. local time on Saturday in St. Peter’s Square.
- The Vatican released photos of Francis lying in state at his residence Casa Santa Marta, adding the casket will be moved to St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday.
- Officials said the “translation of the body” to the Basilica is being done to “allow all the faithful to pay their respects.”
- Saturday’s funeral mass will be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the dean of the College of Cardinals—the body whose members will elect the next pope.
- A nine day period of mourning will be observed after the funeral and then the Pope’s body will be “taken into St. Peter’s Basilica and then to the Basilica of St. Mary Major for entombment,” according to Vatican News.
Why Will Pope Francis’ Funeral Be Different From His Predecessors’?
Last year, Francis revised various papal funeral rites and rituals to cut back a lot of the associated pomp and pageantry. Traditionally, a deceased pope was laid to rest inside three stacked coffins, made of cypress wood, lead, and oak. However, after the changes enacted by him last year, Francis’ body is being placed inside a wooden coffin with a zinc coffin inside it. On Monday night, the acting head of the Vatican and the Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church Cardinal Kevin Farrell presided over a ceremony to ascertain Francis’ death and put his body in the coffin. On Wednesday, Farrell will also preside over the “rite of translation” under which Francis’ body will be moved to St. Peter’s Basilica. Another key reform implemented by Francis will allow his body to be buried outside the Vatican, meaning Francis will be buried in St. Mary Major Basilica, across town in Rome.
What Happens After The Pope’s Body Is Moved To St. Peter’s Basilica?
Farrell will lead the procession bring the pope’s body to St. Peter’s Basilica, after which the body will lie in state in the wooden coffin. This is another change implemented by Francis as the bodies of earlier popes were placed on an elevated platform when they laid in state at the Basilica. A day before the funeral, Farrell will oversee the sealing of the pope’s coffin.
Who Is Expected To Attend The Pope’s Funeral?
Several world leaders have announced their plans to attend the Pope’s funeral. President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social Monday: “Melania and I will be going to the funeral of Pope Francis, in Rome. We look forward to being there!” Ukrainian state media reports suggest that the country’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is planning to travel to the Vatican to attend the ceremony as well. Other leaders who have announced plans to attend include French President Emmanuel Macron, Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, among others. Javier Milei, the President of Argentina—the pope’s country of birth—is also expected to attend.
What Do We Know About The Cause Of The Pope’s Death?
On Monday, health officials at the Vatican announced the cause of Francis’ death was a stroke, followed by a coma and irreversible heart failure. The Pope was suffering from major health issues in the months leading up to his death and had to be hospitalized for 38 days in February and March due to bilateral pneumonia and bronchitis. The Vatican said the pope also suffered from “high blood pressure and Type II diabetes.”
What Do We Know About Candidates In Line To Succeed Francis As Pope?
Francis’ death has set in motion a process to select his successor and this will be done through a conclave ballot process involving members of the College of Cardinals. Several candidates, including from France, Canada, the Philippines and the the Democratic Republic of Congo are believed to be in the running. According to crypto-based betting platform Polymarket, Italy’s Pietro Parolin has emerged as the bookmaker’s favorite to secure the papacy.
