As the world prepares to bid farewell to Pope Francis, the Vatican has announced the details of his funeral, which is set to take place on Saturday, April 26, 2025. The funeral mass will be broadcast in Polish, allowing many to participate in this solemn occasion from afar. The Prefecture of Rome revealed the route of the funeral procession on April 24, 2025, indicating that it will travel from St. Peter's Basilica to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, where Pope Francis will be laid to rest.
According to estimates, over 100,000 people may accompany the Pope on his final journey. The procession will leave Vatican City from the south side, passing under the Janiculum Hill through the Principe Amedeo Savoia Aosta tunnel. It will then cross the Tiber River and travel along Corso Vittorio Emmanuele II to Piazza Venezia. The route will take mourners through the Imperial Forums and ancient Roman ruins, including a view of the iconic Colosseum, before continuing along Via Lanica to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, located about five kilometers from the Vatican.
The entire funeral ceremony, from the Mass in St. Peter's Square to the burial in the Basilica, is expected to last approximately four hours. This ceremony will allow the faithful to witness the passage of the funeral procession through the streets of Rome. In a departure from the practices of his predecessors, Pope Francis chose to be buried in Santa Maria Maggiore rather than in the Vatican's crypts. This basilica holds significant meaning, being located near the Termini station, a central hub for many.
During the funeral, nine cardinals will surround the 266th Pope. This group includes prominent figures such as Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Camerlengo, and Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the Dean of the College of Cardinals. Among those present will also be Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, who has often been referred to as the Pope's "right hand" and is known for his charitable work.
The private liturgy will begin with a procession to the burial site within the left aisle of the basilica, situated between the Pauline Chapel and the Sforza Chapel. The Cardinal Camerlengo will preside over the final prayer for the soul of the deceased successor of Peter, which will include a brief invocation and the Lord's Prayer.
After the prayer, the wooden coffin will be sealed with the official seals of the Camerlengo, the Prefecture of the Papal Household, and the Office of Papal Liturgical Celebrations. The coffin will then be placed in the tomb, sprinkled with holy water, and the Regina Coeli hymn will be sung, marking the solemnity of the occasion.
Additionally, a notary of the Chapter of the Basilica will prepare an act of burial, which will be read aloud in the presence of those gathered. This document will be signed by the Cardinal Camerlengo, the Regent of the Papal Household, the Master of Papal Ceremonies, and the notary, officially confirming the burial.
On Friday, April 25, 2025, the coffin with Pope Francis' body will be on display in St. Peter's Basilica from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. By Thursday evening, approximately 100,000 people had already paid their respects to the Pope, with many more expected to arrive in Rome over the coming days. Extraordinary security measures have been implemented throughout the city to ensure the safety of those attending the funeral.
As preparations for the funeral continue, cardinals are also meeting to decide on the date of the conclave, which will elect the next pope. The date may be announced after the first meeting of the cardinals following the funeral on Saturday. This conclave is expected to be historic, with 135 electors participating, the largest number ever recorded.
Pope Francis appointed many of these cardinals during his pontificate, exceeding the threshold of 120 electors set by Pope Paul VI in 1975. Nearly 80 percent of the electors are Francis' nominees, indicating a strong continuity of his reformist vision within the Church. However, two of the eligible cardinals have announced they will not attend due to health issues.
Among the cardinals participating in the conclave are four Poles, including Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, who is being considered a potential candidate for the papacy. Known for his dedication to the poor, Krajewski has been referred to as the "papal Robin Hood" and is seen as a possible compromise candidate due to his alignment with the spirit of Francis' pontificate.
As the world mourns the loss of Pope Francis, his legacy will undoubtedly influence the discussions and decisions made in the upcoming conclave. Cardinal Krajewski remarked on the Pope's final days, noting that on Easter Sunday, Francis wished everyone a good celebration and blessed the city and the world before his passing. He emphasized that the Pope began his pontificate by asking for the blessing of the people and departed in the same spirit, offering his blessing to those gathered.
The funeral of Pope Francis promises to be a moment of reflection and reverence, not only for his life and leadership but also for the future of the Catholic Church as it prepares to usher in a new era.
