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Live: Pope Francis Funeral Ceremony at Vatican – World Honors a Transformative Pope
Vatican City, April 26 – St. Peter’s Square hosts a solemn funeral Mass for Pope Francis, the first Latin American and Jesuit pope, who died April 21 at 88. Global leaders and countless faithful gather to bid farewell to a leader who reshaped the Catholic Church.
Ceremony Details
- When: April 26, 2025, 10:00 AM CET (1:30 PM IST)
- Where: St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City
- Presider: Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of College of Cardinals
- Burial: Basilica of St. Mary Major, Rome (per Pope’s will)
Live Schedule Highlights
- 8:10 AM CET: Broadcast begins from St. Peter’s Square.
- 9:30 AM CET: Coffin procession from St. Peter’s Basilica (wooden, zinc-lined).
- 10:00 AM CET: Funeral Mass in Latin, with prayers in English, Spanish, Arabic.
- 12:30 PM CET: Ultima Commendatio and Valedictio; procession to St. Mary Major.
Who’s Attending?
- World Leaders: U.S. President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Irish President Michael D. Higgins.
- Faith Leaders: Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby.
- Public: Over 250,000 visited during April 23-25 public viewing; 200,000+ expected today.
Historic Elements
- Rogito: Papal biography sealed in coffin, read Friday.
- Fisherman’s Ring: Destroyed to mark sede vacante (papal vacancy).
- Conclave: To elect new pope, begins May 5 at earliest.
Pope Francis’ Legacy (2013-2025)
- Reforms: Embraced LGBTQ+ inclusion, tackled Vatican financial corruption.
- Firsts: First non-European pope in 1,200 years, simplified funeral rites.
- Global Impact: Championed climate action, refugees, and interfaith dialogue.
How to Watch Live
- TV: NBC, CBS, BBC One, EWTN (global broadcasts).
- Stream: Vatican News YouTube, CBS News, Peacock, Hulu.
- Radio: Vatican Radio in 15 languages, including English, Arabic, Chinese.
The world pauses to honor Pope Francis, whose humility and compassion left an indelible mark. Follow the procession to St. Mary Major for his final rest.
