Skip to content

Pope Francis to be buried at St. Mary Major Basilica following Saturday funeral

Pope Francis’ funeral Mass will be held Saturday, April 26 at 10 a.m. in St. Peter’s Square, led by Cardinal Re. He will be buried at St. Mary Major Basilica.

Pope Francis’ funeral Mass will take place Saturday, April 26, at 10 a.m. in St. Peter’s Square, the Vatican announced Tuesday. 

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER HERE

The Mass will be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals. 

Following the funeral, the pope’s coffin will be taken to St. Peter’s Basilica and then to the Basilica of St. Mary Major for burial. 

In accordance with his personal wishes, Francis will not be buried in the Vatican grottoes but instead at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, a church he visited more than 100 times during his papacy, before and after international trips, in devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated that he plans to attend the funeral with the first lady, Melania Trump. Other heads of state, religious leaders and thousands of faithful from around the world are expected to attend. 

In the days leading up to the funeral, the late pope’s body will lie in state at St. Peter’s Basilica, where the faithful can pay their final respects. He will lie in state from Wednesday morning until the funeral Saturday morning, following the rite of translation on Wednesday, April 23, which will begin at 9 a.m. A procession will pass through Santa Marta Square and the Square of the Roman Protomartyrs before entering the basilica through the central door, according to the Holy See Press Office. 

The papal funeral will follow the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis, the Vatican’s official liturgical text for papal funerals, which was updated at Francis’ request in 2024. The late pope’s face, his body having been placed in a simple wooden coffin lined with zinc, is covered with a silk veil. 

The funeral is the first in nine days of Masses offered for the repose of his soul, known as the “Novendiales.” Each day, a cardinal chosen by the late pope will preside over a Requiem Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. 

This article was originally published on Catholic News Agency.

Live Updates following the Pope’s Passing

Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today

Share

Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican

Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter.

More news related to this article

LIVE from the Vatican: Synod on Synodality Special Coverage

This EWTN News special from the Vatican covers the last week of the Synod on Synodality. Our hosts,

Hungary Helps in Africa 

Fratelli Tutti expressed through aid to Christians suffering persecution

Pope Leo XIV on Pentecost Sunday: The Holy Spirit inspires us to ‘break down walls’

Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass for the Solemnity of Pentecost in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday with international pilgrims belonging to new Church movements, associations, and communities celebrating this year’s Jubilee Year of Hope in Rome.

Vatican News: Pope Francis on U.S. Migration Policies: Defending Human Dignity

Here’s a look at the Vatican’s latest updates and the Pope’s key messages.

What are World’s Pressing Diplomatic Challenges? A Conversation with Mons. Gallagher

In a recent interview with Mons. Gallagher, Vatican Secretary for Relations with States, some of the world’s most

Bonifatiuswerk: Un Ponte di Solidarietà per il Nord Europa

Celebrazione del 50° Anniversario Il Bonifatiuswerk ha celebrato il 50° anniversario del loro Aiuto per il Nord Europa

LIVE
FROM THE VATICAN

Be present live on EWTN.it