- Funeral Date and Time: Saturday, 10:00 a.m. local time in St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City.
- Burial Location: Basilica of St. Mary Major, Rome, as per Pope Francis’s wishes.
- Notable Attendees: US President Donald Trump, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, France’s President Emmanuel Macron, and Prince William representing King Charles.
- Lie in State: The Pope’s body will lie in state at St. Peter’s Basilica for mourners to pay their respects.
- Legacy: Pope Francis was known for his progressive views and advocacy for social justice, migrants, and the environment.
Pope Francis’s funeral will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. local time (4:00 a.m. ET) in St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City. After the service, his body will be taken to St. Peter’s Basilica before being entombed at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, as per his wishes. This will make him the first pontiff in over 100 years not to be laid to rest in St. Peter’s Basilica.
The funeral is expected to draw huge crowds and will be televised on major news networks, including NBC News, BBC News, and MSNBC. Notable attendees include US President Donald Trump, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, France’s President Emmanuel Macron, and Prince William, representing King Charles.
Prior to the funeral, supporters will have the opportunity to pay their respects to Pope Francis beginning on Wednesday, April 23. The coffin containing his body will be carried to St. Peter’s Basilica from Casa Santa Marta, and the rite of translation will begin with a moment of prayer at 9:00 a.m ¹.
