VATICAN CITY, April 23, 2025 - The body of Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21, 2025, was laid out in an open coffin during a solemn procession from his residence to St. Peter's Basilica on Wednesday. The 88-year-old pontiff died in his rooms at the Santa Marta guesthouse after suffering a stroke. Crowds gathered to pay their respects as the procession made its way through St. Peter's Square, where thousands applauded in a traditional Italian sign of respect.
The ceremony began with Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who is temporarily managing the Vatican until a new pope is elected, addressing the mourners. "Dear brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow we now accompany the mortal remains of our Pope Francis to the Vatican Basilica," he stated. The pope's body was carried on a wooden platform by 14 pallbearers, all dressed in black suits and white gloves, while a male choir chanted psalms and prayers in Latin.
Pope Francis' coffin was then transported to St. Peter's Basilica, where it will lie in state for public viewing from April 23 to April 25, 2025. The public mourning period allows the faithful to pay their respects until Friday evening. The Basilica will remain open until midnight on Wednesday and Thursday, with the public mourning concluding at 7 p.m. on Friday.
In a formal message of condolence, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed his sorrow over the pope's passing, stating, "Through his tireless commitment to the faith and his calls for humanity and brotherhood, he gave people worldwide strength, confidence and inspiration." Scholz, along with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, is expected to attend the pope's funeral on Saturday, April 26, 2025.
As preparations for the funeral unfold, leaders from Italy, France, Germany, Britain, Ukraine, and the European Union, as well as representatives from Pope Francis' home country of Argentina, have confirmed their attendance. The head of Italy's civil protection agency, Fabio Ciciliano, anticipates that at least 200,000 people will attend the outdoor service.
Following the funeral, a conclave to elect Francis' successor is not expected to commence until May 6, 2025. In the interim, Cardinal Farrell will oversee daily operations of the Vatican during the "sede vacante" period, which translates to "vacant seat." The speculation around who will succeed Pope Francis has already begun, with British bookmakers naming Luis Antonio Tagle, a reformer from the Philippines, and Pietro Parolin from Italy as early favorites.
Earlier this year, Pope Francis spent five weeks in the hospital due to double pneumonia, and his last public appearance was on April 20, 2025, when he surprised pilgrims by being driven around St. Peter's Square in his white, open-topped popemobile.
The procession on Wednesday was marked by a mix of mourning and celebration of the pope's life and contributions to the Catholic Church and the world. Rachel Mckay, a pilgrim from Britain, shared her sentiments, saying, "He's like a member of the family. Somebody very close to our hearts, somebody who made the church very accessible to everybody and inclusive to everybody."
As the world mourns the loss of Pope Francis, preparations for his funeral and the subsequent election of his successor are underway, marking a significant moment in the history of the Catholic Church.
