The Vatican has announced detailed plans for the funeral rites of Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 in his residence at Domus Sanctae Marthae, Vatican City.
On Wednesday, April 23, at 9:00 AM, the body of the late Pope will be transferred from the chapel of Casa Santa Marta to St. Peter’s Basilica, where he will lie in state for public veneration until his funeral on Saturday morning at 10:00 AM. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, will preside over the rite of translation, which begins with a moment of prayer. The procession will move through Santa Marta Square and the Square of the Roman Protomartyrs, pass through the Arch of the Bells, and enter the Vatican Basilica through the central door.
At the Altar of the Confession, Cardinal Farrell will lead the Liturgy of the Word before visits to the body commence. The funeral Mass on Saturday will be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, and concelebrated by Patriarchs, Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, and priests from around the world. The ceremony will conclude with the Ultima commendatio and Valedictio, marking the start of the Novemdiales nine days of mourning and Masses for the repose of Pope Francis’ soul.
Following the funeral, the late Pope’s body will be taken from St. Peter’s Basilica to the Basilica of St. Mary Major for entombment, in accordance with his wishes for a simpler burial outside the Vatican.
