THE BODY OF THE LATE POPE FRANCIS WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO ST. PETER’S BASILICA ON WEDNESDAY AT 9:00 AM TO LIE IN STATE UNTIL HIS FUNERAL ON SATURDAY MORNING AT 10:00 AM.(PHOTOS).

- April 22, 2025

The body of the late Pope Francis will be transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday at 9:00 AM to lie in state until his funeral on Saturday morning at 10:00 AM.

The Holy See Press Office announced on Tuesday that Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, will preside at the funeral Mass, which will be concelebrated by Patriarchs, Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, and priests from across the globe.

The Eucharistic celebration will conclude with the Ultima commendatio and the Valedictio, marking the beginning of the Novemdiales, or nine days of mourning and Masses for the repose of Pope Francis' soul.

The late Pope's body will then be taken into St. Peter’s Basilica and then to the Basilica of St. Mary Major for entombment.

Earlier, on Wednesday, the coffin containing the Pope’s body will be carried from the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta to St. Peter’s Basilica.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, will preside over the rite of translation on April 23, which will begin at 9:00 AM with a moment of prayer.

The procession will pass through Santa Marta Square and the Square of the Roman Protomartyrs, according to the Holy See Press Office.

The procession will then exit through the Arch of the Bells into St. Peter’s Square and enter the Vatican Basilica through the central door.

At the Altar of the Confession, the Cardinal Camerlengo will preside over the Liturgy of the Word, at the conclusion of which the visits to the body of the Roman Pontiff will commence.

EARLIER REPORT:

📸 The Vatican published Tuesday a photo and video of 𝐏𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐬 in his open coffin, dressed in a red robe with the papal mitre on his head and a rosary in his hand.

Following the pope's request, the pope's body is placed inside a wooden casket instead of a bier, which was used for the funeral of the previous popes.

It was also Pope Francis's wish to be placed in a simple wooden casket with a zinc lining instead of the traditional three layers of coffins made of cypress, lead, and oak.

The images were taken in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta, Pope Francis's residence at the Vatican where he died on Monday, aged 88.

More photos below.