Pope Francis to Be Buried Saturday in Modest Ceremony Outside Vatican

Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday at 88-years-old, will be laid to rest on Saturday, April 26. The Vatican says the funeral mass will take place in St. Peter’s Square and will be led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista, Dean of the College of Cardinals. In line with the Pope’s desire for a modest ceremony, his body will be placed in a simple wooden coffin without the traditional triple-layered caskets. The public viewing began today at St. Peter’s Basilica, allowing thousands of mourners to pay their respects. The viewing will continue until Friday evening, when the casket will be sealed. After the funeral, Pope Francis will be buried at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, a departure from the customary burial site beneath St. Peter’s Basilica. This marks the first time in over a century that a pope will be buried outside the Vatican. The funeral is expected to be attended by numerous world leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.