The Vatican has officially released the schedule for the burial of Pope Francis, who passed away recently, marking the end of a historic papacy.
According to a statement from the Holy See Press Office on Tuesday, the body of the late Pontiff will lie in state at St. Peter’s Basilica starting Wednesday, April 23, at 9:00 AM, until his funeral Mass on Saturday, April 26, at 10:00 AM.
The funeral will be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals.
“The Eucharistic celebration will be concelebrated by Patriarchs, Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, and priests from across the globe,” the Holy See Press Office stated.
The rite of translation will begin earlier on Wednesday morning, when the coffin containing the Pope’s body will be moved from the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta to St. Peter’s Basilica.
The procession, led by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, will commence at 9:00 AM with a moment of prayer.
The solemn procession will pass through Santa Marta Square and the Square of the Roman Protomartyrs, exit through the Arch of the Bells, and enter St. Peter’s Basilica through the central door.
At the Altar of the Confession, Cardinal Farrell will preside over the Liturgy of the Word, after which the public will be allowed to pay their final respects.
The Holy See also confirmed that after Saturday’s funeral, the body of Pope Francis will be taken into St. Peter’s Basilica and then moved to the Basilica of St. Mary Major for entombment.
The funeral rites will conclude with the Ultima commendatio and the Valedictio, officially beginning the Novemdiales, a traditional nine-day period of mourning and Masses for the repose of the Pope’s soul.
“Pope Francis will be buried on Saturday, following the ancient traditions of the Church,” the Vatican statement read.
This final farewell marks the closing chapter of Pope Francis’ legacy a pontificate remembered for its deep humility, global outreach, and steadfast commitment to the marginalized.
