The Vatican is finalizing preparations for Pope Francis's funeral, scheduled for Saturday, April 26, 2025, in St. Peter's Square in Rome. This momentous event comes after the pope's passing on April 21 at the age of 88, and it is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of mourners from around the globe.
As the world prepares to pay its last respects, the faithful and tourists have until 7 p.m. on Friday, April 25, 2025, to visit St. Peter's Basilica and pay homage to the late pontiff. Nearly 150,000 people have already filed past his open coffin, which will be sealed during a ceremony at 8 p.m. led by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the camerlengo.
The funeral itself will commence at 10 a.m. local time on Saturday, with Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the dean of the College of Cardinals, presiding over the mass. The coffin, made of wood and zinc, will be placed on the parvis of the basilica, facing a crowd expected to number in the hundreds of thousands. Security measures have been significantly heightened, with thousands of volunteers and law enforcement officers deployed, snipers stationed on rooftops, and an anti-drone system in place to ensure safety during the proceedings.
Pierfrancesco Demilito, head of the press service of the Italian Civil Protection, has stated that it is impossible to know the exact number of attendees, but estimates suggest “a few hundred thousand at minimum.”
World leaders and dignitaries will gather in Vatican City for the funeral, including U.S. President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and Argentine President Javier Milei. Additionally, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain, Prince William, and Prince Albert II of Monaco are among the expected attendees. A total of 130 foreign delegations have been confirmed, though notable absences include Russian President Vladimir Putin, who will be represented by his Minister of Culture, Olga Lioubimova, due to an international arrest warrant.
After the funeral mass, Pope Francis's coffin will be transported to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome, in accordance with his wishes. The procession will cover approximately four kilometers through the streets of the capital, allowing locals to pay their respects along the route. A group of the poor, whom the pope prioritized throughout his papacy, will welcome the coffin upon its arrival at the basilica, reflecting his commitment to the marginalized.
The Vatican will observe a period of mourning known as "novemdiales," lasting from April 25 to May 4, 2025. During this time, solemn celebrations will occur daily at St. Peter's Basilica. The funeral mass is the first of nine scheduled masses to honor the late pope, with the liturgical ceremony set to include readings from the Acts of the Apostles, a letter from Saint Paul to the Philippians, and the Gospel of John.
In the lead-up to the funeral, various media outlets are preparing special coverage. TF1 plans to broadcast the event live on multiple platforms, including TF1, LCI, and TF1 INFO, with hosts Anne-Claire Coudray and Gilles Bouleau. France Télévisions will also provide live coverage starting at 9:10 a.m. on France 2 and other channels, featuring commentary from notable Vatican experts.
KTO, a Catholic television network, has been offering continuous coverage since April 21, and will air a special program leading up to the funeral. Viewers can expect extensive commentary, documentaries, and coverage of the pope's significant speeches and homilies during this time.
The funeral of Pope Francis is not only a moment for mourning but also a significant event for the Catholic Church and its followers worldwide. As preparations continue, the Vatican is ensuring that this occasion reflects the pope's legacy of compassion and inclusivity. The conclave to elect the next pope is set to begin between May 5 and May 10, 2025, following the novemdiales period.
As the world watches, Pope Francis's funeral will be a historic occasion, marking the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter for the Catholic Church. With a diverse representation of global leaders and an outpouring of public grief, the proceedings will undoubtedly resonate far beyond the walls of the Vatican.
