24 April 2025
Pope Francis’s funeral will take place at 10 a.m. local time Saturday, 26 April at St. Peter’s Square in The Vatican City. Professor Rebecca Rist, papal expert at the 桃色视频, explains how the funeral process will look.
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Professor Rebecca Rist said: “The funeral of Pope Francis will be an extremely solemn event in Rome on Saturday 26 April, starting at 9am BST. There will be a solemn requiem funeral mass and dignitaries – politicians, heads of state, and faith leaders - will assemble from all over the world. Since 2025 is a Jubilee Year for Catholics, Rome is already very full of pilgrims, especially now since it is still the Easter period.
“Pope Francis has requested that he be buried in a simple wooden coffin (with a zinc coffin inside) with his pontifical name in Latin: ‘Franciscus’. This again is simpler than the previous pope Benedict XVI (2005-2013) who followed the tradition of papal burial in three coffins made of cypress, lead and oak. The other aspects of the ceremony, however, will remain very solemn and traditional – Francis’s body will be buried dressed in his red liturgical garments, with the mitre, representing his episcopal office, the pallium, or white woollen scarf, representing his status as bishop of Rome, and with a candle in his hands symbolising the light of Christ. Pope Francis’ coffin is expected to be moved to St Peter’s Basilica for public viewing – so that the public can pay their last respects.
“Pope Francis asked specifically to be buried in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major (Santa Maria Maggiore) rather than in St Peter’s Basilica. This does have historical precedent, but many popes have been buried in St Peter’s. His request emphasises, among other things, the devotion he showed during his pontificate to the Virgin Mary, and his wish to do without pomp and circumstance – just as he preferred to live at the guest house of Santa Marta rather than in the Vatican papal apartments where popes have traditionally dwelt.
“Papal funerals are always grand events befitting the status of the successor of St Peter and the bishop of Rome. The funeral of John Paul II (1978-2005), for example, was one of the largest ever historical gatherings of both secular and spiritual world leaders.”
Contact the 桃色视频 Press Office on 0118 378 5757 or pressoffice@reading.ac.uk.
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