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Pope Francis, who died at the age of 88 on Easter Monday, will be laid to rest on Saturday, April 26, at 10:00 AM local time in St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City. The funeral, expected to draw world leaders and dignitaries from across the globe, will be led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals. He will also perform the Ultima Commendatio et Valedictio—the traditional final rites offered at a Pope’s funeral.
Unlike his predecessors, Francis will not be buried in St. Peter’s Basilica. Honoring his personal wishes expressed in 2023, his body will instead be taken to the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome. There, he will be laid to rest near a revered icon of the Virgin Mary, reflecting his lifelong devotion.
The Vatican released the first images of the late pontiff lying in state in the chapel of Casa Santa Marta, his Vatican residence. Dressed in a red robe and papal mitre, with a rosary in hand, Pope Francis is seen in an open casket as mourners prepare to pay their respects.
According to official medical reports, Francis died from a cerebral stroke that led to coma and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse. His health had been in steep decline due to complications from bilateral pneumonia, chronic respiratory issues, and underlying conditions like hypertension and type II diabetes.
Despite his deteriorating health, the Pope made a final public appearance on Easter Sunday, briefly greeting crowds at St. Peter’s Square. His funeral will be attended by several global figures, including former U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.