The world is preparing to bid a solemn farewell to Pope Francis, the beloved Argentine pontiff whose legacy of humility, compassion, and reform has left an indelible mark on the Catholic Church and beyond.
The Vatican officially announced that his funeral will take place this Saturday at 10:00 a.m. (0800 GMT) in the grand square in front of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Pope Francis, who was 88, passed away on Monday after suffering a stroke, just weeks after being discharged from a prolonged hospital stay where he battled double pneumonia.
His passing has triggered an outpouring of grief and heartfelt tributes from around the world, including messages of condolence from global leaders such as U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky. Many have confirmed their attendance at the funeral to pay their respects.
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As preparations unfold, the Vatican shared the first images of the late pontiff lying in repose in the chapel of Casa Santa Marta — the humble residence where he chose to live during his 12-year papacy. Dressed in red papal vestments, with a mitre upon his head and a rosary entwined in his fingers, the scene was a moving reflection of his devotion and simplicity.
On Wednesday morning at 9:00 a.m. (0700 GMT), the pope’s body will be transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica, where he will lie in state, allowing the faithful to say their final goodbyes.
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The funeral proceedings were set during the Vatican’s first general congregation of cardinals on Tuesday. This ancient tradition not only oversees the mourning period but also marks the beginning of the formal process to elect a new pope, a process that must conclude within 21 days.
True to his wishes, Pope Francis will be laid to rest in a coffin made of wood and zinc. Following the funeral mass, his body will be taken into St. Peter’s Basilica and eventually transported to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome for burial — a place he often visited in prayer.
Across the globe, nations are mourning. In his homeland of Argentina, a week of national mourning has been declared, while India — in a rare move for a foreign religious leader — has initiated three days of state mourning in his honor.
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Pope Francis, who assumed the papacy in 2013 following the resignation of Benedict XVI, was widely regarded as a transformative figure. He championed the marginalized, pushed for reform, and called for a more inclusive and compassionate Church.
As the world prepares to say goodbye, one thing is clear — Pope Francis’s spirit, his message of love and humility, and his tireless advocacy for peace and justice will echo far beyond the walls of the Vatican.
May his soul rest in eternal peace. Amen.
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