Vatican City – April 26, 2025
In a historic departure from tradition, Pope Francis will be laid to rest in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major (Santa Maria Maggiore) in Rome, following a solemn funeral Mass at St. Peter’s Square on Saturday, April 26.
The ceremony, set to begin at 10:00 a.m., is expected to draw thousands of mourners from around the world, including heads of state, religious leaders, and ordinary faithful. The Pope’s decision to be buried at Saint Mary Major marks the first time in over a century that a pontiff will not be interred in the Vatican Grottoes beneath St. Peter’s Basilica.
According to Vatican officials, the choice reflects Francis’ deep devotion to the image of the Virgin Mary under the title Salus Populi Romani, which is housed in the basilica. Throughout his pontificate, he prayed before the icon over 120 times, often before and after apostolic journeys.
His tomb will be crafted from Ligurian stone, a symbolic gesture honoring his grandparents’ roots in the northwestern Italian region of Liguria.
The public will have the opportunity to pay their respects during three days of lying in state at St. Peter’s Basilica, from Wednesday to Friday. Following the funeral Mass, the coffin will be transferred in a solemn procession to its final resting place.
A national day of mourning has been declared in several countries, as the world reflects on the legacy of the Argentine pontiff who led the Catholic Church for more than a decade.