The Vatican has confirmed Pope Francis’ funeral will be held Saturday at 10:00 AM (0800 GMT) in St. Peter’s Square, with burial to follow at Rome’s Santa Maria Maggiore basilica. The announcement comes after the 88-year-old pontiff’s passing on Monday, marking the culmination of nine days of official mourning.
Funeral Details:
- Date/Time: April 26, 10:00 AM (Vatican City time)
- Location: St. Peter’s Square (public ceremony)
- Burial Site: Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome’s largest Marian church
The ceremony will be conducted by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, with over 100 world leaders expected to attend. Security preparations are underway for what may become one of the largest Christian gatherings in modern history, surpassing the 4 million mourners at St. John Paul II’s 2005 funeral.
Procession Route:
- Funeral Mass at St. Peter’s Square
- Transfer to St. Peter’s Basilica for final rites
- Procession to Santa Maria Maggiore for interment
The Vatican confirmed the Pope will be buried in the basilica’s Borghese Chapel, maintaining tradition for modern popes while honoring his special devotion to the Virgin Mary. Santa Maria Maggiore held particular significance for Francis, who visited the icon of Salus Populi Romani there before and after international trips.
