Vatican City, April 25 — The Vatican is preparing for a historic funeral on Saturday, April 26, as Pope Francis is laid to rest following days of global mourning and tributes to his spiritual leadership.
At least 50 heads of state and 10 reigning monarchs are expected to attend the funeral Mass, which will be held at 10:00 AM local time in St. Peter’s Square.Pope Francis, the beloved spiritual leader of 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, passed away after suffering a stroke, just weeks after being released from a prolonged hospital stay for double pneumonia.
He died peacefully at his residence in Casa Santa Marta, within the Vatican.By Thursday, over 61,000 mourners had filed past his coffin, lying in state inside St. Peter’s Basilica.
Despite extended viewing hours, massive crowds meant many were turned away, underscoring the depth of devotion and admiration felt around the globe.
The Vatican confirmed that Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, will preside over the Rite of Sealing of the Coffin on Friday at 8:00 PM, an event that signals the end of public viewing. The solemn rite will be attended by senior Cardinals and Vatican officials and broadcast live on Vatican News.
The funeral Mass on Saturday will mark the beginning of the “Novemdiales,” an ancient nine-day period of mourning and Masses for the soul of a deceased Pope.
World leaders have begun arriving in Rome, with a total of 130 foreign delegations confirmed. Among the dignitaries expected are US President Donald Trump, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, Argentina’s President Javier Milei, and Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Royals including Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, Belgium’s King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, and Prince William of the United Kingdom will also attend.Other notable attendees include Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.Security in the Vatican has been heightened, with Italy’s air force deploying electromagnetic systems to deter drone activity. Italy’s civil protection agency anticipates "several hundred thousand" mourners will flood into Rome during the weekend, which coincides with a national holiday.
Following the funeral, Pope Francis will be transported to the Basilica of St. Mary Major for his burial, bringing an end to his transformative papacy marked by humility, reform, and a deep commitment to the poor and marginalized.As the world gathers to bid farewell, the legacy of Pope Francis continues to echo far beyond the walls of the Vatican.
