ROME — The funeral of Pope Francis will take place on Saturday at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome, the Vatican announced on Tuesday, as the Church prepares to lay the late pope to rest and start the process of deciding on a new pontiff.
Before he died, Francis expressed his desire to be buried at the basilica, one of his favorite places, and not in the grander St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican as is customary for deceased popes.
Global leaders including U.S. President Donald Trump — making the first foreign trip of his second term — confirmed on Tuesday that they would attend the funeral.
Francis’ body is currently lying in an open coffin in the chapel of the Santa Marta guesthouse, his former residence, where cardinals, officials and employees of the Vatican are able to bid farewell to him.
According to a plan announced by cardinals on Tuesday, the Pope’s body will be transferred to St Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday, where the faithful will have the opportunity to pay their last respects.
A large church service in the Vatican will precede the burial at Saint Mary Major.
Francis, who led the Catholic Church for 12 years, died on Monday following a stroke and heart failure.
As spiritual leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, Francis was the first pope from Latin America, the first Jesuit, and the first to be named after St. Francis of Assisi, a medieval monk who lived in poverty.
Leaders from around the world paid tribute to Francis following his death, praising him for his humility and compassion.
In the coming weeks, the Church will hold a closed meeting of cardinals, called a conclave, at the Vatican in order to decide on who will be Francis’ successor.
