Pope Francis Funeral Details Revealed: Date, Location, and Burial Plans

The Vatican confirmed that Pope Francis’s funeral will take place on Saturday, April 26, 2025, beginning at 10:00 a.m. local time in St. Peter’s Square. The ceremony will be led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who will oversee the rites traditionally reserved for a reigning pontiff.

The event is expected to be broadcast globally and attended by heads of state, world religious leaders, and thousands of faithful Catholics.

Ahead of the funeral, the Vatican will allow the public to pay their respects. Beginning April 23, Pope Francis’s body will be transferred from his residence at Casa Santa Marta to St. Peter’s Basilica, where he will lie in state.

Thousands are expected to pass through the basilica to offer prayers and honor the legacy of a pope remembered for his humility, progressive leadership, and tireless advocacy for the poor and marginalized.

In a historic move, Pope Francis will not be buried beneath St. Peter’s Basilica like many of his predecessors. Instead, he will be laid to rest at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome—a site personally chosen by the pontiff, reflecting his devotion to the Virgin Mary and his wish to remain connected to the people rather than tradition.

This marks a rare departure from centuries of papal burial tradition, adding another unique chapter to Pope Francis’s already extraordinary legacy.

Elected in 2013, Pope Francis was the first Jesuit pope and the first from the Americas. Throughout his papacy, he was known for his humble approach, choosing to live in modest quarters, wash the feet of prisoners, and champion causes like climate change action, economic justice, and interfaith dialogue.

His funeral is expected to be both a solemn tribute and a global moment of reflection on the values he preached and the reforms he pursued.

As the date approaches for the Pope Francis funeral 2025, the world prepares to bid farewell to one of the most influential spiritual figures in modern history. From the quiet halls of Vatican City to public squares across the globe, the mourning—and celebration of his life—has already begun.