Watch live footage of the funeral of Pope Francis from St Peter’s Square in Vatican City, streaming live here on Newsweek.
You can also follow live updates from our reporter on the ground, as thousands gather to mourn.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, was elected as the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church on March 13, 2013, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. He was the first pope from the Americas and the first Jesuit to hold the office. His papacy emphasized mercy, humility, care for the poor, environmental stewardship, and outreach to marginalized communities. He sought to reform the Vatican bureaucracy and address global issues such as migration and climate change. He died on Monday after a period of ill health.
What Time Is The Pope’s Funeral?
The pope’s funeral is scheduled for Saturday, April 26, beginning at 10 a.m. local time in St. Peter’s Square, which is 4 a.m. ET and 1 a.m. PST.
What To Expect From Pope Francis’ Funeral
The public funeral Mass is being held in front of St. Peter’s Basilica, with Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re presiding. The funeral will be less formal than other papal funerals, with Francis having made changes last year around the process, including the use of a modest wooden coffin.
Photo-illustration by Newsweek/Getty
At 8.30 a.m. on Saturday, archbishops and bishops will gather at the Braccio di Costantino in the Vatican, wearing the amice and alb white liturgical vestments, the rope-like cincture worn around the waist, and a simple white miter on their heads.
At 9 a.m. patriarchs and cardinals will gather in the Chapel of San Sebastiano in the Basilica wearing the white damask miter required in the presence of the pope.
Then at 10 a.m., Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, will preside over the funeral mass in St Peter’s Square, along with patriarchs, cardinals, archbishops, bishops, and priests from across the world. Also in attendance will be President Donald Trump and a host of other world leaders.
This celebration will conclude with the “ultima commendatio” and the “valedictio,” which mark the beginning of nine days of mourning and masses for Pope Francis.
Where Will Pope Francis Be Buried?
Following Pope Francis’ funeral, his coffin will be carried in a scaled-back procession through Rome to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore—a church of profound personal significance to him, where he often prayed before and after international journeys. Francis requested to be buried there, rather than within Vatican City, in a break from tradition.
In his final testament before his death, Pope Francis requested to be buried there, rather than within Vatican City, in a break from tradition. He wrote, “I wish my final earthly journey to end precisely in this ancient Marian sanctuary, where I would always stop to pray at the beginning and end of every Apostolic Journey, confidently entrusting my intentions to the Immaculate Mother, and giving thanks for her gentle and maternal care.”
Upon arrival, a group of poor and marginalized individuals, reflecting his lifelong commitment to social justice, will gather to honor him.
What Happens After The Funeral?
After the traditional nine-day mourning period, preparations for the conclave to elect the next pope will begin. The conclave, held in the Sistine Chapel, is a highly secretive gathering where eligible cardinal electors will vote in successive rounds, requiring a two-thirds majority to select the new pope. Smoke signals from the chapel’s chimney—black for no decision, white for a successful election—will inform the world of the outcome.