Pope Francis, the first Jesuit pope and a transformative figure in modern Catholicism, passed away peacefully on Easter Monday at the age of 88. The Vatican announced that he died in his residence at Domus Sanctae Marthae after suffering a stroke and cardiac complications.
The funeral has been scheduled for Saturday, April 26, in St. Peter’s Square. The ceremony will begin at 10:00 a.m. and is expected to draw global attention, with dignitaries, religious leaders, and thousands of mourners in attendance.
In keeping with the late pontiff’s wishes for simplicity, his body will lie in state beginning Wednesday, April 23, in St. Peter’s Basilica. Visitors will be allowed to pay their respects as he rests in a plain wooden coffin, a break from the ornate traditions of past papal funerals.
Pope Francis will be buried at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, a significant departure from recent custom, reflecting his devotion to humility and the Virgin Mary.
Leaders from around the world, including heads of state, have expressed condolences and are expected to attend the funeral. Security preparations in Rome have been intensified as the city prepares for one of the most significant religious events in recent memory.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, led the Catholic Church since 2013. Known for his focus on compassion, justice, and outreach to the marginalized, he leaves behind a legacy of reform and a Church more open to dialogue in an increasingly complex world.
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