In brief
Pope Francis's funeral will occur at 10:00 local time (08:00 GMT) outside St. Peter's Basilica, as official arrangements have been finalized for the ceremony. Following his death, his body will be displayed in an open casket for public viewing from Wednesday morning.
Pope Francis's passing has drawn a global outpouring of grief and admiration, following the announcement of his funeral scheduled for Saturday outside St. Peter’s Basilica. The decision for the timing was made after crucial discussions among the cardinals in Vatican City. His body will rest in an open casket inside the basilica starting Wednesday morning, allowing mourners to pay their respects. A procession will carry his body from the Santa Marta residence, where he lived during his papacy, to St. Peter's Basilica, led by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who oversees the Vatican's operations following a pope's death. In a departure from tradition, there will be no private viewings for cardinals as per the late pontiff's wishes. Unlike prior popes, he opted for a more simplistic burial in a single wooden coffin rather than nested coffins. Saturday's services are expected to be attended by numerous dignitaries, including heads of state like US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron. The gathering is anticipated to attract large crowds as the Catholic community prepares to mark the beginning of nine days of mourning for the beloved pope. Pope Francis, who was elected as the first Latin American Pope in 2013, passed away after suffering a stroke following a brief health crisis. His influence and legacy continue to resonate worldwide as preparations for the conclave to elect his successor begin post-funeral. Following the ceremony, he will be interred at St. Mary Major basilica, diverging from the tradition of burial in St. Peter's crypt, making him the first pope to be laid to rest there in 100 years.
