Pope Francis’ funeral has been scheduled for Saturday at 10 a.m. local time in St. Peter’s Square. The ceremony will be presided over by the dean of the College of Cardinals.
Following his passing, cardinals gathered at the Vatican to arrange the funeral and burial, while also beginning preparations for the conclave to elect a new pope and address other matters concerning the leadership of the Catholic Church. Meanwhile, the global community—both world leaders and ordinary faithful—mourns the loss of the pontiff.
Public viewing of the late Pope will begin Wednesday in St. Peter’s Basilica. His casket will be transferred there in a solemn procession from the Vatican guesthouse where he had lived.
In accordance with his final wishes, Pope Francis will be laid to rest at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, located outside the Vatican walls and home to his beloved icon of the Virgin Mary.
Pope Francis had long suffered from chronic lung issues, having lost part of a lung in his youth. He was hospitalized at Gemelli Hospital on February 14 due to a respiratory crisis that progressed into double pneumonia. He remained there for 38 days—the longest hospital stay of his papacy, which spanned 12 years.
The Pope passed away peacefully on Easter Monday, just a day after he made a final appearance to bless thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square.
