In brief
The funeral mass will unite dignitaries and the faithful as they pay tribute to the late pontiff in St. Peter’s Square.
The funeral mass for Pope Francis is set to take place in St. Peter’s Square on Saturday at 10 a.m. local time. This significant event will attract world leaders, cardinals, and priests, all gathered in solidarity to commemorate the life and legacy of the beloved pontiff. The ceremonies will be widely broadcasted across global news platforms.Pope Francis's body will lie in state at St. Peter’s Basilica until the funeral. Viewers can anticipate a stream of the service on various networks including The New York Times and major U.S. broadcasters such as NBC, CBS, CNN, and ABC. International viewers will also have access to the funeral through networks like the BBC and the Vatican’s YouTube channel.The funeral is expected to follow traditional rituals, including a public Mass overseen by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the dean of the College of Cardinals. Notably, the proceedings will be simpler than those of previous papal funerals, reflecting the Pope's wishes for a more modest farewell. After the Mass, he will be laid to rest at the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, as per his will, requesting an unadorned tomb marked only with the inscription “Franciscus.” In the aftermath of the funeral, churches across Rome will hold special Masses in remembrance of Pope Francis over the subsequent nine days. Attendance is expected from a notable list of figures, including President Trump, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, and leaders from Catholic-majority nations like Argentina and Brazil. The outpouring of grief and respect from around the globe marks the profound impact Pope Francis had during his time as spiritual leader.
