Details Of Pope's Funeral Announced

The funeral of Pope Francis will be held on Saturday morning.

The Vatican has confirmed it will take place in the square in front of St Peter's Basilica at 9am Irish time.

St Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, Rome. Image: CALIN STAN / Alamy Stock Photo

The body of Pope Francis is currently laid out in a coffin in the chapel of the Santa Marta residence, where he lived during his 12-year papacy.

The Vatican has released pictures of Pope Francis in his open casket, lying in his apartments.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell during the Rite of the Constatation of the Death of the Pontiff at the Chapel of Santa Marta .Photograph by VATICAN MEDIA /Catholic Press Photo. 2025/4/21

The pope's body will be taken to St Peter's Basilica for public viewing on Wednesday morning from 9am, where he will lie in state for three days.

Following his funeral on Saturday morning, his coffin will be taken inside the church and brought to the Rome basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore for burial.

This will begin nine days of mourning.

At the end of this period - a conclave, which is the process to choose a new pope will begin on Monday 5 May.