Pope Francis passed away on Monday at the age of 88. According to a decision by the Roman Catholic cardinals, his funeral will be held on Saturday at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican. Leaders from around the world are expected to attend.
Earlier this year, Pope Francis had been hospitalized for five weeks due to pneumonia and was gradually recovering. However, the Vatican stated that his death on Monday was swift and painless. Around 5:30 a.m. local time (3:30 GMT), the Pope felt unwell and was attended by his medical team. Over an hour later, he signaled farewell to his aide Massimiliano Strappetti before slipping into a coma. He was pronounced dead at 7:35 a.m.
His body is currently resting at the chapel of the Santa Marta residence, where he lived during his papacy. The Vatican released an image showing the Pope dressed in vestments and holding a rosary in an open coffin, with Swiss Guards standing in honor nearby. Dignitaries, including Italian President Sergio Mattarella, have paid tribute to Latin America’s first Pope.
On Wednesday at 9 a.m. (7 GMT), cardinals will lead a procession to move his body to St. Peter’s Basilica, where the public can pay their respects until Friday evening. The funeral service will take place on Saturday at 10 a.m. in front of the 16th-century basilica and will be led by 91-year-old Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re.
U.S. President Donald Trump and his wife will attend the funeral in Rome, despite having previous clashes with the Pope over immigration issues. Other attendees include leaders from France, Brazil, Germany, Poland, Ukraine, Argentina, the European Commission, the UK Prime Minister, and the King and Queen of Belgium.
In his final wish, Pope Francis requested to be buried at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome, breaking from the tradition of burial in St. Peter’s Basilica followed by many of his predecessors.
Preparation for New Pope Election
Following the Pope’s death, the 1.4 billion-member Catholic Church has initiated the process of selecting a new Pope. The Pope’s Fisherman’s Ring and seal have been destroyed to prevent misuse. Cardinals in Rome held an emergency meeting on Tuesday to outline upcoming procedures and review daily church operations until a new Pope is elected.
The conclave to elect the next Pope usually begins 15 to 20 days after the Pope’s death, expected to start no earlier than May 6. The election outcome will be signaled by white smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel chimney.
Pope Francis took charge of a divided church and worked on administrative reforms, combating corruption, and addressing child abuse issues—though with mixed results. Approximately 80% of his appointed cardinals remain in office, increasing the likelihood that his progressive policies may continue. A hallmark of his leadership was appointing cardinals from remote regions, particularly where Catholics are minorities or where the Church is rapidly growing compared to the West.