A Final Farewell: The World Prepares to Say Goodbye to Pope Francis
The Vatican has announced that the funeral service for Pope Francis will take place on Saturday, April 26, at 10 a.m. local time inside the iconic St. Peter’s Basilica.
His passing on Easter Monday sent waves of sorrow across the globe. At 88, the late pontiff left behind a remarkable legacy—one that reshaped the heart and face of the modern Church.
Within a day of his passing, Church leaders gathered under the guidance of Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re to begin preparations for the farewell. “While grief weighs heavily on us all, we gather in gratitude for a life lived in service,” Re said after the session.
Pope Francis’ body will be moved from the Chapel of Domus Sanctae Marthae to the Basilica by Wednesday. There, he will lie in state for three days, offering the faithful a chance to pay their respects to the man who stirred hearts and bridged divides.
As Saturday draws closer, pilgrims, dignitaries, and spiritual leaders from every corner of the world are expected to make their way to the Vatican. It promises to be a moment not just of mourning—but of deep reflection and unity.
Additional meetings among Church officials will continue in the lead-up to the ceremony, ensuring a smooth transition and a respectful goodbye to a beloved leader.
The world watches and waits, ready to honor the life of a man who carried his cross with humility, and offered the Church a renewed sense of compassion and courage.
