Pope Francis’s funeral – watch live: Taoiseach, Tánaiste and President among attendees in the Vatican
2025-04-26T07:06:19Z
Hundreds of thousands paid their respects to the first Latin-American pontiff as he lay in state in St Peter’s Basilica this week
The funeral Mass for Pope Francis has concluded at St Peter’s Square in the Vatican City.
Cortege wound its way through the centre of the Eternal City to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, where his remains will be interred.
Hundred of thousands of mourners attended, including President Michael D Higgins, Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Simon Harris, US president Donald Trump and UK prime minister Keir Starmer.
Trump, Zelenskiy, Starmer and French president Emmanuel Macron had a positive meeting on the sidelines of the funeral, the French presidency said on Saturday.
The 88-year-old pontiff died on Monday after suffering a stroke and heart failure.
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That’s pretty much that, for the funeral of Pope Francis at any rate. There will be – as we said – a nine day period of mourning after which attention will turn to the Conclave, although, in truth, much of the attention has already turned that way and interest is only likely to ramp up in the days ahead.
Some more footage from the Pope’s funeral.
Hundred of thousands of mourners attended, including President Michael D Higgins, Taoiseach Micheál Martin and US president Donald Trump. Video: Reuters
Estimating crowd sizes is notoriously difficult but that doesn’t stop it happening and we have a new update on numbers coming out of Rome. At least 400,000 people gathered in Vatican City and across the Eternal City for Pope Francis’ funeral according to Italy’s interior minister.
“We estimate not fewer than 400,000 people between those present in St Peter’s Square and those along the route,” Matteo Piantedosi told Italian news programme TG5.
Another image of heads of state meeting which is likely to endure.
Soon, 135 cardinals from around the world will be enclosed within the Sistine Chapel, where they will begin the solemn and secretive process of choosing the next pope. The ritual of conclave is ancient – ballots burned beneath Michelangelo’s ceiling, smoke signals rising above St Peter’s Square – but the stakes are unmistakably modern. Bronagh Ann McShane writes about a Conclave which will be the most significant in a generation,
Earlier this morning we mentioned the scroll that was entombed with Pope Francis containing a brief (ish) synopsis of his life and work – the Vatican has now released the full text of the scroll. In truth it is quiet long but it does paint a good picture of who Pope Francis was so we’ll include it in full here.
This is what it says:
With us, pilgrims of hope, guide and companion on the journey toward the great goal to which we are called – Heaven – the 21st day of April in the Holy Year 2025, at 7:35 in the morning, while the light of Easter illumined the second day of the Octave, Easter Monday, the beloved Shepherd of the Church, Francis, passed from this world to the Father. The entire Christian Community, especially the poor, gave praise to God for the gift of his service rendered with courage and faithfulness to the Gospel and to the mystical Bride of Christ.
Francis was the 266th Pope. His memory remains in the heart of the Church and of all humanity.
Jorge Mario Bergoglio, elected Pope on March 13th, 2013, was born in Buenos Aires on December 17th, 1936, to Piedmontese immigrants: his father Mario was an accountant employed by the railways, while his mother, Regina Sivori, took care of the home and the education of their five children.
After earning a diploma as a chemical technician, he chose the path of the priesthood, entering first the diocesan seminary and, on March 11th, 1958, passing to the novitiate of the Society of Jesus. He pursued humanistic studies in Chile and, returning in 1963 to Argentina, graduated in philosophy at the San Giuseppe college in San Miguel. He was a professor of literature and psychology at the colleges of the Immaculate Conception in Santa Fe and of the Saviour in Buenos Aires.
He received priestly ordination on December 13th, 1969 from Archbishop Ramón José Castellano, and on April 22nd, 1973 he made his perpetual profession in the Jesuits. After serving as novice master at Villa Barilari in San Miguel, professor in the faculty of theology, consultor of the Argentinian province of the Society of Jesus, and rector of the College, on July 31st , 1973 he was appointed provincial of the Jesuits of Argentina.
After 1986 he spent several years in Germany completing his doctoral dissertation and, once back in Argentina, Cardinal Antonio Quarracino made him his close collaborator. On May 20th, 1992 Pope John Paul II named him Titular Bishop of Auca and Auxiliary Bishop of Buenos Aires. He chose as his episcopal motto Miserando atque eligendo and inserted the Christogram IHS, symbol of the Society of Jesus, into his coat of arms.
On June 3rd, 1997 he was promoted Coadjutor Archbishop of Buenos Aires and upon Cardinal Quarracino’s death succeeded him on February 28th, 1998 as Archbishop, Primate of Argentina, Ordinary for the faithful of Eastern rites residing in the country, and Grand Chancellor of the Catholic University. John Paul II created him cardinal in the consistory of February 21st, 2001, assigning him the title of St. Roberto Bellarmino. That October he served as Adjunct General Rapporteur at the Tenth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops.
He was a simple and much-beloved pastor in his Archdiocese, travelling everywhere, even by subway and bus. He lived in an apartment and prepared his own dinner, because he felt himself one of the people.
From the Cardinals assembled in conclave after Benedict XVI’s resignation, he was elected Pope on March 13th, 2013 and took the name Francis, for, following the example of St Francis of Assisi, he wished above all to care for the poorest in the world. From the Loggia of Blessings he appeared and spoke the following the words:
“Brothers and sisters, good evening! And now, we take up this journey – Bishop and People. This journey of the Church of Rome which presides in charity over all the Churches. A journey of fraternity, of love, of trust among us.” And, bowing his head, he said:“ I ask you to pray to the Lord that he will bless me: the prayer of the people asking the blessing for their Bishop.”
On 19 March, the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, he officially began his Petrine ministry.
Always attentive to the least and to those discarded by society, Francis upon his election chose to live at the Domus Sanctae Marthae, because he could not do without contact with people, and from the first Holy Thursday he wished to celebrate the Mass of the Lord’s Supper outside the Vatican, visiting prisons, reception centres for the disabled, or those addicted to drugs. He urged priests always to be ready to administer the sacrament of mercy, to have the courage to leave the sacristies to go in search of the lost sheep, and to keep the church doors open to welcome those desirous of encountering the Face of God the Father.
He exercised the Petrine ministry with untiring dedication in favour of dialogue with Muslims and representatives of other religions, sometimes inviting them to prayer meetings and signing joint declarations for concord among the faithful of different creeds, such as the Document on Human Fraternity signed on February 4th, 2019 in Abu Dhabi with the Sunni leader al-Tayyeb. His love for the poor, the elderly, and children led him to inaugurate the World Days of the Poor, of Grandparents, and of Children. He also established the Sunday of the Word of God.
More than any predecessor he enlarged the College of Cardinals, calling ten consistories in which he created 163 cardinals – 133 electors and 30 non-electors – from 73 nations, 23 of which had never before had a cardinal. He convened five sessions of the Synod of Bishops – three ordinary general assemblies on the family, on young people, and on synodality; an extraordinary assembly also on the family; and a special session for the Pan-Amazonia region.
Often his voice rose in defence of the innocent. At the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, on the evening of 27 2020 he prayed alone in St. Peter’s Square, whose colonnade symbolically embraced Rome and the world, for humanity frightened and stricken by the unknown plague. The final years of his pontificate were marked by numerous appeals for peace, against the Third World War in pieces unfolding in various countries – especially Ukraine – as well as in Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, and Myanmar.
After hospitalisation from July 4th, 2021, lasting ten days for surgery at the Agostino Gemelli Hospital, Francis on February 14th, 2025 returned to the same hospital for a 38-day stay due to bilateral pneumonia. Back in the Vatican, he spent his final weeks at Casa Santa Marta, dedicating himself to the end, with the same passion, to his Petrine ministry, though not fully recovered. On Easter Day April 20th, 2025 for one last time he appeared on the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica to impart the solemn Urbi et Orbi blessing.
Pope Francis’s doctrinal magisterium was extremely rich. A witness to a sober and humble style, founded on missionary openness, apostolic courage, and mercy, attentive to avoiding the pitfalls of self-referentiality and spiritual worldliness in the Church, the Pontiff set forth his apostolic program in the apostolic exhortation Evangelii gaudium (November 24th, 2013).
Among his principal documents were four encyclicals: Lumen fidei (June, 29th 2013), on faith in God; Laudato si’ (May 24th, 2015), on ecology and humanity’s responsibility in the climate crisis; Fratelli tutti (October, 3rd 2020), on human fraternity and social friendship; and Dilexit nos (October 24th, 2024), on devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
He promulgated seven apostolic exhortations, thirty-nine apostolic constitutions, numerous apostolic letters – many motu proprio – including two bullae convoking Holy Years, as well as the catecheses presented at general audiences and discourses given around the world. After establishing the Secretariats for Communications and for the Economy, and the Dicasteries for Laity, Family and Life, and for Promoting Integral Human Development, he reformed the Roman Curia by issuing the apostolic constitution Praedicate Evangelium ( 19th, 2022). He modified the canonical process for nullity of marriage causes in the CCEO and CIC (Mitis et misericors Iesus and Mitis Iudex Dominus Iesus) and toughened legislation regarding crimes committed by clergy against minors or vulnerable people (Vos estis lux mundi).
Francis left to all a marvellous witness of humanity, of holy living, and of universal fatherhood.
CORPUS FRANCISCI P. M. VIXIT ANNOS LXXXVIII, MENSES IV DIES IV. ECCLESIAE UNIVERSAE PRAEFUITANNOS XII MENSES I DIES VIII Semper in Christo vivas, Pater Sancte!
BODY OF FRANCIS P.P. HE LIVED 88 YEARS, 4 MONTHS, 4 DAYS HE PRESIDED OVER THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH FOR 12 YEARS, 1 MONTH, 8 DAYS.
Some footage direct from the Vatican as a day full of pomp and pageantry – and just a little be of politics, both religious and secular, comes to an end.
Over a quarter of a million people from all walks of life gathered in St. Peter’s Square on Saturday to bid their final farewell to Pope Francis at his Requiem Mass.
The solemn liturgy was presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, who was… pic.twitter.com/wyfUdycNk8 — Vatican News (@VaticanNews) April 26, 2025
The final public elements of the funeral service of Pope Francis are now over. And with the burial, the Catholic Church begins nine days of official mourning, known as the “novemdiales”. And after that, the conclave begins.
The US. President Donald Trump, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskiy, French President Emmanuel Macron and Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer had a positive meeting on the sidelines of Pope Francis’ funeral, the French presidency said this afternoon.
When asked about the photograph which we have just posted which was shared by the Ukrainian presidential press office a spokesman for the French presidency said: “I confirm the meeting, which was positive.”
The sentiment was echoed later by Mr Zelenski who thanked Mr Trump for the meeting. In a post on X he said he had “very symbolic meeting” which had the “potential to become historic, if we achieve joint results”.
“Hoping for results on everything we covered. Protecting lives of our people. Full and unconditional ceasefire. Reliable and lasting peace that will prevent another war from breaking out.”
For his part, the US president has now left Rome.
Counter-intuitive as it might sound, this pic of Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskiy is likely to become one of the most enduring images of the day.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and US President Donald Trump talk as they attend the funeral of Pope Francis in the Vatican (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)
The funeral of Pope Francis is drawing to a close with just a private ceremony ahead.
Well-wishers cheer as the coffin of late Pope Francis is transported on a popemobile from St Peter’s Basilica to Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica, Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP
This is the full text of the final will and testament of the late Pope Francis which outlines why he is being laid to res in the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore and not in St Peters as has become common practice.
As I sense the approaching twilight of my earthly life, and with firm hope in eternal life, I wish to set out my final wishes solely regarding the place of my burial.
Throughout my life, and during my ministry as a priest and bishop, I have always entrusted myself to the Mother of Our Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary. For this reason, I ask that my mortal remains rest – awaiting the day of the Resurrection – in the Papal Basilica of St Mary Major.
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.
I ask that my tomb be prepared in the burial niche in the side aisle between the Pauline Chapel (Chapel of the Salus Populi Romani) and the Sforza Chapel of the Basilica, as shown in the attached plan.
The tomb should be in the ground; simple, without particular ornamentation, bearing only the inscription: Franciscus.
The cost of preparing the burial will be covered by a sum provided by a benefactor, which I have arranged to be transferred to the Papal Basilica of St Mary Major. I have given the necessary instructions regarding this to Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, Extraordinary Commissioner of the Liberian Basilica.
May the Lord grant a fitting reward to all those who have loved me and who continue to pray for me. The suffering that has marked the final part of my life, I offer to the Lord, for peace in the world and for fraternity among peoples.
Santa Marta, June 29th, 2022 FRANCIS
The body of Pope Francis has now arrived at the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore before his interring at what will be a private ceremony.
Some footage of the papal procession through the streets of Rome.
Incidentally, the procession is now going at a fair old clip and has already passed Piazza Venezia and Rome’s famous ‘Wedding Cake’ and the even more famous Colosseum so it won’t be long until it arrives at the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore.
People gather along the road as the coffin of late Pope Francis is transported from St Peter’s Basilica to Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica. Photograph Antonio Masiello/Getty Images
The coffin of late Pope Francis is being transported from St Peter’s Basilica to Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica Photograph: Antonio Masiello/Getty Images
St Peter’s Square is now emptying and attention is turning to the route the coffin of the late Pope Francs will take to the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore which is 6km away from the Vatican. The procession which involves a specially adapted white Popemobile is going at steady pace and has made its way over the Tiber and is heading through central Rome where it will pass the Colosseum and on to his final resting place. Crowds have lined the route and are applauding as the remains of the late Pope passes them by.
: And so the good Pope Francis begins his final journey, carried back inside St Peter’s and then on through Rome,” writes Patsy McGarry. “I was here for his election in March 2013, for his first public audience, which was with the media, and accompanied him to and from Ireland in 2018 where he spoke to each and every one of us on board, in Italian. He was, like myself, inarticulate in many languages but he didn’t need words to communicate his warmth, sincerity, genuine compassion, ‘authenticity’ – to use a word of fellow Irishman Bishop Paul Tighe – about him this week.”
The congregation applauded as the Gospels were removed from the coffin and the cardinals left the square. The 14 pall bearers are bringing the coffin back into the basilica to more applause after which the cortege will wind its way through the centre of the Eternal City to the Basilica of St Mary Major where it will be interred.
As the mass comes to an end Cardinal Battista Re commend’s the late pope’s soul to God and ask for consolation for the Roman Catholic church. The coffin is then sprinkled with holy water and incense.
US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron exchanged the sign of the peace during the funeral which is drawing to a close.
France’s President Emmanuel Macron and US President Donald Trump shake hands during the funeral mass. Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
Another update from Patsy McGarry. Unusually not many national flags on display. I see one (Irish) Tricolour, a Polish flag, an Italian tricolour, a rainbow flag possibly in tribute to Pope Francis’s relative kindness to gay people compared to his predecessors … in fact transpeople will be among those to greet his coffin later at St Mary Major.
Communion is now beings distributed among the 200,000 people in or near the square.
In the homily of his funeral mass the congregation hears how Pope Francis incessantly called for peace.
A lot of pictures of the funeral have been landing in recent minutes.
France’s President Emmanuel Macron nd his wife Brigitte Macron, Finland’s President Alexander Stubb and US President Donald Trump at the funeral this morning. Photograph Isabella BONOTTO / AFP
World leaders stand during late Pope Francis’ funeral ceremony at St Peter’s Square at the Vatican Photograph: Mandel NGAN / AFP
Even the helicopter were silent for the consecration that most solemn moment at Mass when Catholics believe bread and wine becomes the body and blood of Christ in what is known as the act of transubstantiation.
In his sermon Cardinal Re also hailed the late Pope’s work to serve refugees and displaced people and pointed to his first journey as Pope to the southern Italian island of Lampedusa which has been used – often tragically – by y migrants as a gateway to the EU.
He described the visit as “significant”, with the island symbolising “the tragedy of emigration, with thousands of people drowning at sea”.
“In the same vein was his trip to Lesbos, together with the Ecumenical Patriarch and the Archbishop of Athens, as well as the celebration of a Mass on the border between Mexico and the United States during his journey to Mexico.”
The cardinal stressed how Pope Francis “incessantly raised his voice” to call for peace and quoted the late pontiff who said “war always leaves the world worse than it was before: it is always a painful and tragic defeat for everyone.” Cardinal Re says quoting the Pope.
We have more from Patsy McGarry high above St Peter’s Square. He notes that the prayers of the Faithful were rendered in a Babel of languages, but not Irish. Chinese was represented although it is worth pointing out that there are over four times as many Catholics in China than there are in Ireland.
“Almost exactly 20 years ago your occasionally humble reporter was in almost this exact spot reporting on the funeral Pope St John Paul,” writes Patsy McGarry..“Up to three million attended that one. What has reminded me, apart from the jostling photographers, the statue of Sebastian and the blue skies (sorry) is the gospels open on the coffin of Pope Francis. A breeze turned the pages of a similar copy of the gospels on the coffin of John Paul during his funeral Mass, drawing gasps from a crowd who saw divine intervention.
Pope Francis’ coffin was carried into St. Peter’s Square at the start of a funeral mass attended by a multitude of mourners, including world leaders.
“The outpouring of affection that we have witnessed in recent days following his passing from this earth into eternity tells us how much the profound pontificate of Pope Francis touched minds and hearts,” Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re told mourners.
He paid homage to Pope Francis’s “pastoral leadership”, which he said was maintained “through his resolute personality”.
“He established direct contact with individuals and peoples, eager to be close to everyone, with a marked attention to those in difficulty, giving himself without measure, especially to the marginalised, the least among us,
“He was a Pope among the people, with an open heart towards everyone. He was also a Pope attentive to the signs of the times and what the Holy Spirit was awakening in the Church.”
The Vatican has said that there are 200,000 people attending the Pope’s funeral in St Peter’s Square and the surrounding area.
The funeral mass has now begun and is likely to last around 90 minutes. The Dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Battista Re is the chief celebrant and, as Patsy McGarry notes, at 91 he is likely to appreciate that he’s doing so in the shade. It is a shade not afforded to the thousands of journalists following proceedings from the top of the Bernini Colonnade overlooking St Peters.
Incidentally, Volodymyr Zelenskiy was given a round of applause as he stepped out of St Peter’s Basilica with the assembled world leaders clapping as the Ukrainian president walked down the steps into St Peter’s Square.
Leaders from across the world have gathered in Rome for the funeral of Pope Francis.
It has to be said, the Vatican looks absolutely stunning this morning and while it is an occasion of sorrow for hundreds of millions of people mourning the passing of their spiritual leader, the pageantry is remarkable.
The coffin of Pope Francis is now being carried by 14 pallbearers from inside the basilica into the square to the sound of applause from tens of thousands of people outside.
US president Donald Trump and his counterpart from Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskiy arrived within moments of each other. Given that the seating is alphabetical you might expect them to be seated quite close to each other but that wont be the case as the alphabetic system being used is French.
When Catholics say a final farewell to Pope Francis today, the Church he leaves behind has 10 per cent more members than 12 years ago, when he took over but what next for the Catholic Church asks Derek Scally?
The loud bells of St Peter’s have begun to toll signalling the entrance of the Eucharistic procession with the celebrants entrance of the Mass, to begin at 10am.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrives at the Vatican this morning. Photo by Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP
Argentina’s President Javier Milei arrives at the Vatican. Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images.
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni arrives for late Pope Francis’ funeral ceremony PhotographTIZIANA FABI/AFP
Patsy McGarry is in Rome for The Irish Times and has sent this early update.
“ It’s a glorious cloudless blue-sky morning here at St Peter’s Square in Rome as clergy in ostentatious, if splendid, garments gather for the funeral Mass of a humble Pope Francis. The altogether more reserved faithful, in comparatively dull greys blacks, and occasional blue, fill up the rest of the Square as overhead seeming fleets of helicopters drown out the rosary being led over a powerful PA system.”
As you might imagine given the scale of the event and the number of world leaders in attendance, there has been an elaborate and enormous security net placed over the Vatican and across Rome. Thousands of police have been deployed with fighter jets and helicopters policing the skies and soldiers with anti-drone weapons spread out across the square.
The President, Michael D Higgins, the Taoiseach Micheál Martin and the Tánaiste Simon Harris are all at the funeral.
Others who at the funeral include the US president Donald Trump and his predecessor Joe Biden. The UN secretary general, António Guterres is in the congregation as is Emmanuel Macron, the president of France; as well as Britain’s prime minster Keir Starmer, the heir to the British throne, Prince William, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the president of Ukraine; Sergio Mattarella and Giorgia Meloni, the president and prime minister of Italy; King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain.
Javier Milei – the president of Argentina is in the Vatican too as is Brazilian president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The former has in the past called the late Pope a “communist”, an “imbecile” and a “lefty son of a bitch”.
Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Jr, the president of the Philippines where one of the largest Catholic populations in the world live is also in Rome.
Russian president Vladimir Putin – who is the subject of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant in connection with the invasion of Ukraine – is not here with Russia represented by its culture minister, Olga Lyubimova.
The leaders and political representatives from around the world will be seated in French alphabetical order based on the name of their country with the exceptions being the Argentinian president and the Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni who are seated at the front because of their nationalities.
United Nations Secretary General António Guterres arrives at the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square. Photograph: Antonio Masiello/Getty Images
Former US President Joe Biden and former First Lady Jill Biden are greeted by members of the clergy as they arrive for lthe funeral ceremony, Photograph: Isabella BONOTTO / AFP
Cardinals getting ready for the funeral of Pope Francis. Photograph: Antonio Masiello/Getty Images
It is a testament to the soft power of the Papacy that as many as 170 foreign delegations are in Rome this morning with princes, presidents and prime ministers all jostling for position in the pews.
Last night Cardinal Kevin Farrell the Camerlengo from Driminagh, presided over the closing and sealing of the coffin.
The ceremony began with the reading of a document listing the stages of Jorge Mario Bergoglio’s life and his most important activities as Pope. The one-page written account of his papacy is called a “rogito” in Italian which translates as an official deed.
It said the memory of the 266th Pope “remains in the heart of the Church and of all humanity”.
“He was a simple and popular pastor in his archdiocese, [in Buenos Aires] who travelled far and wide, even by metro and bus. He lived in a flat and prepared his own food because he felt like a normal person.”
Archbishop Diego Ravelli spread a white silk cloth over the face of the Pope, while Cardinal-Camerlengo Farrell sprinkled Francis with holy water.
As is the tradition, a bag of coins minted during the papacy of Francis was placed in the coffin along with the “rogito”
The lid was then placed on the zinc coffin, along with Francis’ cross and coat of arms and a plaque with the Pope’s name and the duration of his life and his papacy while psalms were sung.
After the zinc coffin was sealed, the seals of the Cardinal-Camerlengo and the Prefecture of the Papal Household, the Office for Liturgical Celebrations and the Vatican Chapter were imprinted. The wooden coffin, which bears a cross and the coat of arms of the deceased pope, was then sealed.
The coffin bear a cross and the papal coat of arms which Pope Francis kept from when he was bishop It has a shield and the monogram of his Jesuit order, with the words “Miserando atque eligendo,” Latin for “Having had mercy, he called him.”
Francis made it clear he wanted to break with the traditions surrounding papal funerals and just 12 months ago published a more simplified process so that he could be “laid out and buried like any son or daughter of the church”.
In times past, Popes have been laid to rest in three coffin. A coffin made of cypress wood was placed inside one made of lead and then into a one carved out of oak. The body of Pope Francis – at his request – was placed in just one coffin made of wood and lined with zinc.
After the mass and the final blessings, the wooden coffin will travel in a solemn procession the 4km to the Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica, a journey through the Eternal City that will take around 40 minutes.
“As I’ve always promised the Virgin, the place is already prepared,” he said in an interview with Mexican TV in 2023. “I want to be buried in Santa Maria Maggiore because it’s my great devotion.”
Once there, Pope Francis will be buried in the ground in an undecorated tomb marked with just one word: Franciscus. It will be a private ceremony with the grave open to visitors from Sunday morning.
Pictures from the Vatican show a city getting ready to mourn the passing of a global leader.
Cardinals arrive for late Pope Francis’ funeral ceremony at St Peter’s Square in The Vatican. Photograph: Isabella Bonotto/AFP
Nuns hug in front of St Peter’s Basilica before the funeral ceremony gets underway. Photograph JEFF PACHOUD / AFP)
A man holding a ballon with an image of the late Pope Francis waits along a crowded Via della Conciliazione street ahead of the funeral ceremony. Photograph: HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP
What is going to happen today? The funeral mass begins once the solemn tolling of the Basilica’s bells which start proceedings fall silent.
The service is being led by the dean of the college of cardinals Italian cardinal Giovanni Battista Re and the ceremony is based on the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis which translates as the Rite of Burial for Roman Pontiffs.
On Friday the Vatican has released the order of service. It is very long
It starts with the Litany of the Saints which sung during the procession of the Pope’s coffin to its place at the front of the Altar.
Much of the singing that will be heard will be from the Sistine Chapel Choir – the Pope’s personal choir. The 20 permanent adult singers and 35 boy singers perform at official papal events and it has been in existence for around 1,500 years making it the oldest choir in the world.
To give you a sense of the geography of the St Peter’s Square funeral, the cardinals and the senior clerics of the Church will be positioned to the left of the Basilica as you face it from the square with the world leaders and other dignitaries seated to the right with the altar and the coffin of Pope Francis positioned between them. Behind the dignitaries are the general public and behind the cardinals and bishops are other clergy and members of religious orders.
People are gathering at the Vatican ahead of the funeral of Pope Francis in St Peter’s Square. Photograph: Mario Tama/Getty Images)
It is going to be a long morning and afternoon for those who arrived early with the funeral starting at 9am Irish time and proceedings likely to continue until well past midday. At least it is a gloriously sunny day in Rome and temperatures at the Vatican are unlikely to climb higher than the mid-20s.
Today promises to be a solemn day and one in which hundreds of millions of Roman Catholics all over the world will mourn the passing of their spiritual leader. Long queues formed outside St Peter’s Square through the night with the first of those in line for a place at the funeral ceremony of Pope Francis taking their positions shortly after 6am local time (5am Irish time).
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