The Holy See Press Office has announced that the funeral Mass for Pope Francis will take place on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 10:00 AM in St. Peter’s Square.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the Dean of the College of Cardinals, will lead the solemn Mass. He will be joined by Patriarchs, Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, and priests from different parts of the world.
The Mass will end with the Ultima commendatio and Valedictio, which officially mark the beginning of Novemdiales—a traditional nine-day period of mourning and special Masses held in memory of the late Pope.
After the funeral rites, Pope Francis’ body will be taken into St. Peter’s Basilica, and later, he will be buried at the Basilica of St. Mary Major.
On Wednesday, April 23, the Pope’s coffin will be moved from the chapel at Casa Santa Marta to St. Peter’s Basilica, where people will have the chance to say their final goodbyes.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, will lead the transfer of the Pope’s body. It will begin with a prayer at 9:00 AM.
The ceremonial procession will pass through Santa Marta Square and the Square of the Roman Protomartyrs, then exit through the Arch of the Bells into St. Peter’s Square before entering the Basilica through its main entrance.
Inside the Basilica, at the Altar of the Confession, Cardinal Farrell will lead the Liturgy of the Word. After that, the public will be allowed to visit and pay their respects to the late Pope.
