The funeral of Pope Francis is set to take place on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. in St. Peter’s Square, according to an official statement from the Holy See Press Office released on Tuesday.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the Dean of the College of Cardinals, will lead the funeral Mass. Clergy from all over the world—including Patriarchs, Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, and priests—are expected to join in the service.
“Will preside at the Mass, which will be concelebrated by Patriarchs, Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, and priests from across the globe,” the statement reads.
The service will end with the traditional Ultima commendatio and Valedictio rites. Following this, Pope Francis’ body will be taken into St. Peter’s Basilica and later moved to the Basilica of St. Mary Major for final entombment.
Before the funeral Mass, a special procession is planned for Wednesday, April 23. The casket will be moved from the chapel at Casa Santa Marta, the Pope’s residence, to St. Peter’s Basilica.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who serves as the Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, will oversee the ceremony. The event will begin with a prayer at 9:00 a.m., followed by a solemn procession that will pass through Santa Marta Square and the Square of the Roman Protomartyrs.
As per the schedule shared by the Vatican, the procession will exit through the Arch of the Bells and enter St. Peter’s Basilica through the central door. Once inside, the ceremony will continue at the Altar of the Confession.
“At the Altar of the Confession, the Cardinal Camerlengo will preside over the Liturgy of the Word, at the conclusion of which the visits to the body of the Roman Pontiff will commence,” the Holy See noted.
Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88. He died in the early morning hours, at 7:35 a.m., in his residence at Casa Santa Marta in Vatican City. His death was officially announced by Cardinal Kevin Farrell.
