Photo: Depositphotos
23 April 2025, Vatican City – Prince William will attend the funeral of Pope Francis on behalf of the King, Kensington Palace has announced. The farewell ceremony for the pontiff, who died on Monday, 21 April, at the age of 88, will take place on Saturday, 26 April, at 10:00 a.m. local time in St Peter’s Square. The funeral will be attended by world leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as well as King Felipe VI of Spain and Queen Letizia.
Pope Francis, who had led the Catholic Church since 2013, died less than 24 hours after leading Easter Mass on Sunday, despite recently suffering from severe pneumonia. His death came as a surprise to many, as the pontiff remained active despite his poor health. According to his will, released by the Vatican, Pope Francis wished to be buried in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, not in the crypt of St Peter’s Basilica, as most of his predecessors had done. He also indicated that he wanted to be buried in a simple wooden coffin lined with zinc, without any special decorations, only with the inscription “Franciscus”. The funeral expenses will be covered by an anonymous benefactor, as stated in the will.
Funeral preparations and farewells
Starting on Wednesday, 23 April, Pope Francis’ body will be on display for viewing in St Peter’s Basilica. The public will be able to pay their respects from 11:00 to midnight on Wednesday, from 7:00 to midnight on Thursday and from 7:00 to 19:00 on Friday. Tens of thousands of pilgrims and tourists are expected to visit the Vatican to say goodbye to the pontiff. To support those who may be emotionally distressed, a tent with four psychologists will be set up in St Peter’s Square and drinking water will be distributed.
On Tuesday, the cardinals gathered for their first meeting since the pope’s death to discuss the details of the funeral and preparations for the conclave that will elect the next pontiff. The meeting began with a prayer and an oath of office, followed by the reading of Francis’ will. The conclave is expected to begin 15-20 days after the Pope’s death, in accordance with Catholic Church traditions.
World leaders at the funeral
The Pope’s funeral is not only a religious event, but also a significant diplomatic event, as the Vatican is a sovereign state. In addition to Prince William, who has previously represented the British royal family at international events, the ceremony will be attended by Presidents Emmanuel Macron of France, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil, Javier Milei of Argentina and others. Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed that he would not attend due to an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court in connection with the war in Ukraine.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who will also be in attendance, called Pope Francis an “outstanding man” whose commitment to justice will leave a lasting legacy. “The outpouring of grief and love following his death reflects the high regard he has gained not only among Catholics but around the world,” Starmer said.
Pope Francis: a legacy and a break with tradition
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, was known for his humility and commitment to the poor and migrants. He chose the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore for his burial because of its connection to migrants and refugees, and because he often prayed there before and after his trips abroad. His decision broke with the centuries-old tradition of burying pontiffs in St Peter’s Basilica.
Francis’ last words, according to the Vatican, were a thank you to his personal nurse, Massimiliano Strappetti, who persuaded him to greet the crowds in St Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday. Despite being advised by doctors to reduce his activity due to recent pneumonia, the Pope insisted on meeting with the faithful, saying, “Thank you for bringing me back to the square.”
What’s next?
After the funeral, the cardinals will begin preparations for the conclave that will elect the 267th Pope. Currently, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines is being mentioned as a possible candidate, who could become the first Asian pontiff. However, history shows that it is extremely difficult to predict the outcome of the conclave.
The death of Pope Francis marks the end of an era for the Catholic Church, which under his leadership has sought to be more open and compassionate. His legacy of humility and concern for the underprivileged will live on in the hearts of millions of believers around the world.
Source: The Telegraph
