World leaders get ready to attend the Vatican funeral on Saturday
Pope Francis, the first Latin American to lead the Catholic Church, will be laid to rest on Saturday at 10 a.m. in St. Peter’s Square, marking the end of a powerful 12-year papacy. The 88-year-old Argentine pontiff passed away on Monday following a stroke that led to a coma and eventual heart failure.
His body will lie in an open casket in St. Peter’s Basilica for three days, starting Wednesday, allowing the public to bid their farewells. Senior Vatican officials began private goodbyes Monday evening. “He gave everything, to the very end,” said Sister Nathalie Becquart, a top-ranking Vatican official. “He walked with his people.”
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re will lead the funeral Mass. Meanwhile, the College of Cardinals has initiated preparations for the papal conclave, expected to start between May 5 and 10.
A global goodbye
Heads of state and royalty from around the world will gather for the funeral. Donald and Melania Trump, Argentina’s President Javier Milei, UK PM Keir Starmer, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain, France’s Emmanuel Macron, and Ukraine’s Zelenskyy and first lady Olena Zelenska are among confirmed attendees. Russia’s Vladimir Putin will not attend.
Italy has announced five days of national mourning, underscoring the Pope’s immense influence.
In India, a memorial Mass will be held on April 24 in Old Goa, led by Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao.
Honoring his final wish, Pope Francis will be buried at the Basilica of St Mary Major, beneath his cherished icon of the Virgin Mary — a symbol of his deep call for greater roles for women in the Church.
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