Trump Coming As Vatican Unveils Plans For Pope Francis’ Funeral

The Vatican has confirmed the official date and time for Pope Francis’ funeral, as mourners prepare to pay their final respects to the late pontiff in Rome.

Pope Francis’ funeral will take place on Saturday, with the mass scheduled for 10:00 AM local time. His body will be on public display at St. Peter’s Basilica starting tomorrow, allowing the faithful to pay their respects.

The Vatican has confirmed that the Confirmation of the Death of the Pontiff ceremony, which occurred last night, marked the official declaration of Pope Francis’ death. During the ceremony, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo, read the formal declaration aloud. The pope’s body was then placed in an open casket at the Domus Santa Marta hotel, where he resided, with photographs showing him dressed in red liturgical vestments and holding a rosary.

In a tradition observed after the death of a pope, the Fisherman’s ring and the seal used to make the papal seal were destroyed, and the papal apartments were sealed. These rituals are part of the official mourning process, marking the start of the period of transition in the Catholic Church.

The Vatican also revealed that the nine days of official mourning will begin after the funeral, known as the Novendiali. Following this, the Conclave, where cardinals gather to elect a new pope, will not begin until at least 15 days after the declaration of the pope’s death.

Pope Francis passed away on Friday, April 19, 2025, at the age of 88 after suffering a cerebral stroke, leading to a coma and irreversible heart failure. He had been recovering in his apartment after a five-week hospitalization for pneumonia. His last public appearance was on Easter Sunday, April 14, 2025, when he gave a blessing to the crowd in St. Peter’s Square.

After the funeral, Pope Francis will be buried in a simple tomb at St. Mary Major basilica, in line with his wishes stated in his will. The funeral service will be held outside St. Peter’s Basilica, where the ceremony is expected to accommodate around 300,000 people.

Global leaders such as U.S. President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have confirmed their attendance at the funeral.

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