Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21, 2025, will be honored with a funeral liturgy beginning at 10 a.m. local time on Saturday, April 26, 2025 in St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. This schedule follows the longstanding tradition of holding a papal funeral six days after death — similar to the 2023 funeral of Pope Benedict XVI — allowing sufficient time for the faithful to pay their final respects.
Body Lying in State at St. Peter’s Basilica
Since his death, Pope Francis’ body has been lying in state in St. Peter’s Basilica, where it has drawn thousands of mourners each day. The line of visitors stretches through St. Peter’s Square as believers and tourists alike wait for hours to approach the open wooden coffin. Crowds have traveled from all corners of the world, reflecting Pope Francis’ immense global influence and his enduring emphasis on humility, empathy, and inclusivity throughout his papacy.
From Casa Santa Marta to the Altar of the Confessio
Early this week, the pope’s body was transferred from the chapel of Casa Santa Marta — the simple Vatican guesthouse where Pope Francis lived during his pontificate — to the basilica. Inside St. Peter’s, his coffin rests at the Altar of the Confessio, positioned just above the tomb of St. Peter, the first pope. This sacred location is particularly meaningful, symbolizing the deep roots of the Catholic Church and underscoring the continuity of its leadership from St. Peter to Pope Francis.
A Simpler Papal Funeral Rite
In keeping with the late pope’s call for modesty, the traditional use of three nested coffins — typically cypress on the inside, lead in the middle, and oak on the outside — has been simplified. Pope Francis lies in a single wooden coffin, echoing his long-standing efforts to remove excess formality from Catholic observances. This decision resonates with many faithful who admired him for championing the poor and marginalized, reducing ceremony to focus on compassion and mercy.
The Sealing of the Coffin
On Friday evening at 8 p.m., Cardinal Kevin Farrell — serving as camerlengo — will oversee one of the final rites before the funeral, known as the sealing of the coffin. This ritual, steeped in centuries of tradition, involves closing the pontiff’s coffin and affixing official papal seals, signifying the end of his earthly ministry. After the funeral Mass on Saturday, Pope Francis will be laid to rest in the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, instead of interment in the grotto below St. Peter’s Basilica, as per the late Pope’s wishes.
Global Farewell
In the days leading up to Saturday’s funeral, tributes continue to pour in from religious leaders, heads of state, and ordinary people worldwide. Their messages reflect a collective mourning for a pope whose inclusive tone and heartfelt advocacy reshaped many perceptions of the Church. For all those wondering when the funeral of Pope Francis will be held, the answer is clear: 10 a.m. on April 26, 2025 — a moment when the world comes together to bid farewell to a leader of profound compassion and humility.
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