Vatican Announces Funeral of Pope Francis to Be Held on Saturday

Report By Safarti Tarjuman International Desk

The Vatican has officially confirmed that the funeral of Pope Francis will take place this Saturday, April 26, at 10:00 a.m. local time in St. Peter’s Square.

In a brief statement released Monday, the Holy See announced that the funeral liturgy will be led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the Dean of the College of Cardinals. The ceremony is expected to draw thousands of mourners, dignitaries, and faithful from around the world.

Following the funeral service, the late Pope’s coffin will be carried into St. Peter’s Basilica for final blessings. In accordance with his personal wishes, he will then be laid to rest at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, a site of deep spiritual significance to him throughout his papacy.

This announcement follows the Vatican’s earlier release of images from the death verification ritual, held at Casa Santa Marta, where Pope Francis resided. Tributes continue to pour in globally as the world prepares to bid farewell to a spiritual leader known for humility, compassion, and a lifelong dedication to peace and human dignity.