Pope Francis laid to rest

Pope Francis is being laid to rest today in a ceremony that embodies his priorities as a leader and his wishes as a pastor. While world leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron, will attend his funeral in St. Peter’s Square, the ceremony will be ushered in by prisoners and migrants, honouring the marginalised groups he championed.

An estimated 200,000 mourners are expected for the funeral, which Francis personally designed last year to simplify the Vatican’s traditional rites. His intention was to highlight the role of the pope as a humble priest rather than a figure of worldly power, according to the Vatican.

This approach reflects Francis’s ongoing mission to reform the papacy, advocating for “a poor church for the poor.” This vision was articulated shortly after his election in 2013, and he chose the name Francis in tribute to St. Francis of Assisi, who had a deep connection to the impoverished.

Despite his focus on the underprivileged, many prominent figures will be present. Argentine President Javier Milei holds a special place among attendees due to Francis’ Argentine roots, even though their relationship has been strained.

In a departure from recent customs, Francis will be buried at St. Mary Major Basilica, located near Rome’s main train station, in a simple tomb marked only with his name: Franciscus. A motorcade carrying his casket is expected to draw crowds along a 4-kilometre route through Rome, with up to 300,000 people anticipated to line the streets.

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The first Latin American and Jesuit pope, Francis passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88 following a stroke during his recovery from pneumonia.

His funeral paves the way for the traditional conclave to elect a new pope, likely starting in the first week of May. In the meantime, the Vatican is being overseen by a group of cardinals, led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who is presiding over the funeral and will organise the secret voting process.

Over the past three days, more than 250,000 people queued to pay their respects as Francis lay in state at St. Peter’s Basilica. The Vatican extended its hours to accommodate mourners, but even with this effort, many were turned away when the doors closed on Friday evening.

St. Mary Major holds particular significance for Francis, who had a deep devotion to the basilica’s Byzantine-style icon of the Madonna. He chose to have his tomb placed near this icon, symbolising his connection to his Jesuit roots and the founder of the Jesuits, St. Ignatius Loyola.

n a poignant gesture, 40 special guests from marginalised communities will greet his casket at the basilica, reinforcing Francis’s belief that “the poor have a privileged place in the heart of God.” The burial itself will be a private affair, attended only by cardinals and close aides. For security, Italy has deployed over 2,500 police officers and 1,500 soldiers, with additional measures including naval and aerial support.

The official schedule for the ceremonies includes:

5.30am (0330 GMT): St. Peter’s Square opens.
10am (0800 GMT): The funeral mass begins, presided over by Cardinal Re.

Approx. 11.30am (0930 GMT): The coffin departs for St. Mary Major Basilica.
Approx. 1pm (1100 GMT): The coffin arrives at St. Mary Major, where it will be welcomed by the “poor and needy” before the private burial ceremony.