Pope Francis Laid to Rest in Humble Ceremony, Honoring His Legacy of Simplicity

The late Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, leaves behind a powerful legacy rooted in humility and service. His funeral and burial arrangements reflect this ethos, marking a significant shift from long-standing Vatican traditions.

A Simpler Farewell

In 2024, Pope Francis personally approved a revised version of the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis, the official guide for papal funerals. The updated liturgy moved away from the elaborate ceremonies of the past, highlighting the pope’s role as a pastor rather than a monarch.

Among the changes:

• The traditional three-tiered casket (cypress, lead, and oak) was replaced with a single wooden coffin lined with zinc.
• His body will lie in the coffin facing the pews—not on an elevated platform—allowing mourners a more intimate opportunity to say goodbye.

Burial Outside the Vatican

In a historic departure, Pope Francis will not be buried beneath St. Peter’s Basilica, where most of his predecessors rest. Instead, he requested to be laid to rest at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, a church to which he held deep personal devotion.

This is the first time since 1903—with the burial of Pope Leo XIII—that a pope will be interred outside the Vatican.

Public Viewing and Funeral Mass

The faithful are invited to view Pope Francis’s body at St. Peter’s Basilica from Wednesday through Friday evening, before the funeral Mass takes place on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 10:00 AM local time in St. Peter’s Square.

The service will be led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, alongside clergy from across the globe.

Nine Days of Mourning

Following the funeral, the Church will observe the traditional novemdiales—a nine-day period of mourning and prayer for the soul of the late pope. During this time, special Masses and reflections will honor his life and teachings.

A Final Testament to His Values

Pope Francis’s decisions regarding his funeral and burial underscore his unwavering commitment to a modest, servant-led papacy. By rejecting grandeur, he offers a powerful final message: true leadership lies in humility and compassion.

As preparations begin for the next papal conclave, the simplicity of these rites will stand as a lasting symbol of his transformative influence on the Catholic Church and its people.