Pope Francis Funeral Plans
Pope Francis’ funeral Mass will take place on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 10 a.m. Rome time (4 a.m. in Maine) in St. Peter's Square.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, will preside at the Mass, which will be concelebrated by patriarchs, cardinals, bishops, and priests from around the world.
The eucharistic celebration will conclude with the Ultima commendatio and the Valedictio, marking the beginning of the Novemdiales, or nine days of mourning and Masses for the repose of Pope Francis' soul.
The late pope will then be entombed at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, which is about four miles from the Vatican. Pope Francis asked to be laid to rest there because of his deep devotion to the Blessed Mother and because he paused to pray there after completing each of his apostolic journeys.
Prior to the funeral Mass, the coffin containing the pope’s body was carried from the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta to St. Peter’s Basilica so that the faithful may pay their respects. That began at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 23, and will continue to midnight (Rome time), then resume Thursday 7 a.m. to midnight, and Friday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
