Pope Francis funeral details, world leaders who will attend and more

The 88-year-old pontiff died unexpectedly on Monday after suffering a stroke and cardiac arrest, ending a 12-year papacy marked by groundbreaking reforms, outspoken advocacy for social justice, and frequent clashes with Church traditionalists.

Of the many encyclicals, Apostolic Exhortations, and open letters that Pope Francis produced during his twelve-year pontificate, it’s probably fair to say that none made as much of an impact as Laudato si’.

Published in 2015, this encyclical letter was the first ever written by… pic.twitter.com/VJ1inchyOE

— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) April 22, 2025

Final Farewell Begins Wednesday

The Vatican confirmed that Pope Francis’ body will be moved from the Santa Marta residence — where he lived throughout his papacy — to St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday at 9 am (0700 GMT). A solemn procession led by cardinals will accompany the casket, offering the faithful an opportunity to pay their final respects.

In poignant images released by the Vatican, the late Pope was seen lying in a simple wooden casket, dressed in his liturgical vestments, flanked by Swiss Guards, symbolizing the deep reverence for the leader of the 1.4-billion-strong Catholic Church.

Global Leaders to Attend: Trump, Milei, Lula, Zelenskyy Among Confirmed Names

A host of international dignitaries are expected to attend Saturday’s funeral, including US President Donald Trump, who — despite past clashes with the Pope over immigration policies — announced he and his wife would fly to Rome for the ceremony.

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Other world leaders slated to attend include Javier Milei, President of Argentina, Pope Francis’ home country, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of Brazil, and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine.

The funeral is expected to be one of the largest gatherings of global heads of state since the funeral of Pope John Paul II in 2005.

A Break from Tradition: Final Resting Place Revealed

In a symbolic departure from centuries of Vatican tradition, Pope Francis requested in his final testament to be buried in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome rather than in St. Peter’s Basilica, where many of his predecessors are entombed.

This humble choice reflects the Pope’s lifelong emphasis on simplicity and his commitment to spiritual service over grandeur.

Ancient Vatican Rituals Underway

Following his death, the Vatican has begun the ancient papal transition rituals, which include:

The ceremonial breaking of the Pope’s Fisherman’s Ring and lead seal to prevent posthumous misuse. Meetings of all cardinals in Rome to plan the interregnum period and address the governance of the Church until a new pope is elected.

A conclave — the highly secretive process by which cardinals elect a new pope — is expected to begin between May 6 and May 11, with 135 cardinals eligible to vote.

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While speculation is already mounting, Vatican insiders say there is currently no clear frontrunner to succeed Francis. His influence, however, will loom large, as he appointed nearly 80 percent of the cardinals who will cast their votes, shaping the ideological landscape of the next papacy.

A Progressive Legacy

Pope Francis’ reign was one of contrasts: celebrated for his efforts to modernize the Church, root out Vatican corruption, and confront the global child abuse scandal, but criticized by traditionalists who viewed him as too liberal — especially on issues such as LGBTQ rights, climate change, and income inequality.

His death marks not just the end of an era for the Catholic Church but also the start of a crucial period of reflection and decision-making that could shape global Catholicism for decades to come.