Mourners, dignitaries, and millions around the globe prepare to commemorate the life of Pope Francis during a significant funeral Mass at the Vatican.
Funeral of Pope Francis: Global Leaders Gather to Say Farewell
Funeral of Pope Francis: Global Leaders Gather to Say Farewell
Watch the historic funeral of Pope Francis, a poignant event that will unite the faithful and world leaders in St. Peter’s Square.
The funeral mass for Pope Francis is set to take place on Saturday at 10 a.m. local time in St. Peter’s Square, with attendance expected from international leaders, cardinals, and clergy alike. His body, dressed in papal vestments, is currently lying in state at St. Peter’s Basilica for public viewing. Major news networks, including NBC, CBS, CNN, and ABC, along with international broadcasters such as the BBC, will provide live coverage of this momentous event. Additionally, the Vatican will stream the rites on its YouTube channel.
The ceremony, presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, will adhere to traditional rituals, albeit simplified per Pope Francis's instructions given last year. Notably, only a single wooden coffin will be used instead of the customary three. After the Mass, Pope Francis’s body will be laid to rest in the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, as per his last wishes for a humble burial marked simply with his name, "Franciscus." Following the funeral, special Masses in honor of the late pope will be celebrated across churches in Rome for nine days.
World leaders slated to attend include former President Trump, Prime Minister Keir Starmer of Britain, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, and other notable figures from various countries. This gathering reflects the pope's influential impact on the global community and the Catholic faithful.
The ceremony, presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, will adhere to traditional rituals, albeit simplified per Pope Francis's instructions given last year. Notably, only a single wooden coffin will be used instead of the customary three. After the Mass, Pope Francis’s body will be laid to rest in the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, as per his last wishes for a humble burial marked simply with his name, "Franciscus." Following the funeral, special Masses in honor of the late pope will be celebrated across churches in Rome for nine days.
World leaders slated to attend include former President Trump, Prime Minister Keir Starmer of Britain, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, and other notable figures from various countries. This gathering reflects the pope's influential impact on the global community and the Catholic faithful.
