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Pope Francis' final appearance -

On April 20, 2025, Pope Francis delivered his Urbi Et Orbi blessing from the balcony overlooking St. Peter's Square in Vatican City. The message was read by Archbishop Diego Ravelli, the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations. 

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Placement of the pope's body in Casa Santa Marta -

In the early hours of April 21—Easter Monday—the pope complained of feeling unwell. The pontiff died before 8 am. He was 88 years old. The rite confirming the death and the placement of Pope Francis' body in the coffin took place on Monday evening in the ground-floor chapel of the Casa Santa Marta where the pope lived at the Vatican. The official declaration of death was read aloud. The act was validated by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church.

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Transfer of the coffin -

On April 23, pallbearers, accompanied by members of the Swiss Guard, carried the coffin of the late pope in a procession from the chapel of Santa Marta to St Peter's Basilica. 

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A period of mourning begins -

The transfer of the pope's body to St. Peter's Basilica signaled a period of mourning. Worshippers had already begun to pay tribute to Pope Francis across the globe and memorial masses were underway.  

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Lying in state -

With Pope Francis lying in state, arrangements are now in hand for Saturday's funeral, with hundreds of thousands of guests and mourners expected to attend the late pontiff's final ceremonies.

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The faithful pay their last respects -

Meanwhile, thousands of people are queuing inside and outside St. Peter's Basilica to pay their respects to Pope Francis. 

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Simplifying the Rite of Burial for Roman Pontiffs -

In 2024, Pope Francis simplified the Rite of Burial for Roman Pontiffs, which lays out the rubrics for papal funerals. He did so to demonstrate that he was a "shepherd and disciple of Christ" rather than "a powerful man of this world." 

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Choice of a wooden coffin -

As part of Francis' push to simplify the papal funeral rites, his body is lying in state in an open wooden coffin, having done away with the tradition of having three coffins of cypress, lead, and oak.

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The period between pontiffs -

The period between pontiffs is known as the "papal interregnum," when the church is without a spiritual leader. During this interval of sede vacante, or "empty chair," the church follows a clear set of rules as laid out in the apostolic constitution, Universi Dominici Gregis.

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The rituals to follow -

In accordance with cannon law, the pontiff's death triggers an elaborate series of rituals which will be orchestrated by the camerlengo—in this instance, Cardinal Kevin Farrell. 

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Exposition of the body -

The exposition of Pope Francis' body for private visits by the papal household, Vatican staff, heads of state, and religious leaders is followed by the lying in state in St. Peter's Basilica.  

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Lying at the Altar of the Confessio -

Francis' coffin has been laid at the Altar of the Confessio, a sacred space near the basilica's main altar, above the tomb of St. Peter, the first pope. 

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The cardinals take charge -

On a day set by the camerlengo and until conclave commences, cardinals meet daily to manage day-to-day business of the church, responsibilities that include coordinating the lying in state, funeral, and conclave.  

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"Novendiales" -

The Catholic Church observes an ancient Roman tradition of holding nine consecutive days of mourning known as the "novendiales," which will be marked by Eucharistic celebrations held in suffrage for the late pope.

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Public funeral rites -

While these Eucharistic celebrations are open to everyone, each day a different group is scheduled to participate, based on their connection with the Holy Father. These public funeral rites are also presided over by a different cardinal. 

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The conclave -

The papal selection process, or conclave, involves the Dean of the College of Cardinals inviting the College of Cardinals (conclave) to convene in the Vatican for the Papal Election within 20 days following the pope's funeral. 

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Secret ballot -

To elect a new pope from among their ranks, the cardinals conduct secret ballots behind closed doors in the Sistine Chapel. 

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Signaling a new pope -

The ballot papers are burned after each vote. If a new pope is elected, white smoke rises from the chapel chimney signaling a new pontiff. 

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Inauguration of a new pontiff -

With a new pontiff chosen, a mass is celebrated to install him. This usually takes place a few days after his election and is generally in St. Peter's Basilica. 

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A departure from the norm -

Francis' simplification of the funeral rituals will see the late pontiff buried in a single coffin. This decision is seen by many as a reflection of his humility and departure from the traditional institution of the papacy. 

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Modest vocabulary -

According to his wishes, different language will be used during the funeral. The pope will be called "Bishop of Rome," "Pope," "Pastor," or "Roman Pontifex," with grander titles such as "Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church" now avoided. 

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Sealing of the coffin -

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, seen here putting seals on the papal apartment of the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican following the announcement of Pope Francis' death, will seal the late pontiff's coffin on April 25, the eve of the funeral.

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The funeral liturgy -

Francis' funeral liturgy will be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the 91-year-old Italian who is currently dean of the College of Cardinals. 

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Final commendation and valediction -

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re will lead those present in prayers and Bible readings. He will also deliver the final commendation and valediction, entrusting the pope's soul to God.

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Languages of faith -

It's likely the funeral will be conducted in a variety of different languages, reflecting the Catholic Church's international reach and the varied backgrounds of those present. Pictured is Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re presiding over the Easter Vigil at St. Peter's on April 19, 2025. 

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Reading of prayers -

As with previous masses of this kind at the Vatican, the main prayers will be said in Latin and Italian, with Bible readings in Italian, Spanish, and English. It's expected that a number of shorter prayers will be read in other languages such as Arabic, Polish, and Chinese.

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Santa Maria Maggiore burial site -

Pope Francis will be buried in Santa Maria Maggiore, a church lying outside the Vatican's walls that he was particularly fond of visiting. Francis is the first pope to be interred outside the Vatican since Leo XIII in 1903, and the first pope interred in Maria Maggiore since Clement IX in 1669. 

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Final resting place -

In his final testament, Pope Francis requested his tomb be "in the ground; simple, without particular ornamentation," and specified that the only word should be his papal name in Latin: "Franciscus." Pictured is the late pontiff's final resting place undergoing preparation. 

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Who will attend the funeral? -

Numerous political and religious leaders, royals, and celebrities have confirmed they will be at the Vatican for the service on Saturday, April 26. French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky are among the major European leaders traveling to the Vatican. Brazil's president, Lula da Silva, UN chief António Guterres, and US President Donald Trump have also confirmed their presence. 

Sources: (Vatican News) (Reuters) (CNN) (NBC) (Al Jazeera) 

See also: Discover the masterpiece that is Vatican City. 

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