Pope Francis Lies in State at St. Peter’s Basilica as Faithful Gather to Pay Final Respects
VATICAN CITY — The body of Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 following a cerebral stroke, was solemnly transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, to lie in state for three days. The late pontiff, known for his humility, advocacy for the poor, and efforts to reform the Catholic Church, is being honored with a traditional period of public viewing, allowing the faithful and visitors to bid farewell to one of the most influential popes in modern history.
The procession began at 9:00 a.m. local time from Casa Santa Marta, the modest Vatican residence where Pope Francis lived throughout his papacy and where he drew his final breath. A group of cardinals, dressed in their red vestments, led the somber cortege, accompanied by prayers and hymns. The late pope’s simple wooden coffin, crafted in accordance with his wishes for austerity, was carried through the Vatican’s cobblestone paths and into the grandeur of St. Peter’s Basilica. Notably, the coffin was placed on the main altar of the Basilica rather than on an elevated bier, a decision reflecting Francis’ lifelong emphasis on simplicity and accessibility.
Public viewing began at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday and will continue until midnight, resuming on Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to midnight, and concluding on Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thousands of pilgrims, clergy, and dignitaries are expected to file past the open coffin to pay their respects to the Argentine-born pope, who served as the 266th pontiff since his election in 2013. Security measures have been heightened around Vatican City, with Italian police and Vatican guards coordinating to manage the influx of visitors.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was the first Jesuit pope and the first from the Americas. His papacy was marked by a focus on mercy, environmental stewardship, and outreach to marginalized communities. He gained global admiration for his efforts to bridge divides, including his calls for peace in conflict zones, his encyclical Laudato Si’ on climate change, and his reforms aimed at increasing transparency within the Vatican. However, his tenure also faced challenges, including criticism from conservative factions within the Church over his progressive stances on issues such as divorce, remarriage, and interfaith dialogue.
The funeral for Pope Francis is scheduled for Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. in St. Peter’s Square. The Mass will be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the Dean of the College of Cardinals, in keeping with Vatican tradition. The ceremony is expected to draw an estimated 1.5 million attendees, including world leaders such as U.S. President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The Vatican has also confirmed the presence of representatives from various Christian denominations and other faiths, reflecting Francis’ commitment to ecumenism and interreligious dialogue.
In a departure from tradition, Pope Francis will not be buried in the grottoes beneath St. Peter’s Basilica, where many of his predecessors rest. Instead, following his explicit wishes, he will be laid to rest at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, one of Rome’s four major basilicas and a site of personal significance to the late pope. Francis frequently visited the basilica to pray before its icon of the Virgin Mary, known as Salus Populi Romani (Protector of the Roman People), before and after his international trips.
As the Catholic Church mourns the loss of Pope Francis, preparations are underway for the conclave to elect his successor. The conclave is expected to begin within the next two weeks, with cardinals from around the world gathering in the Sistine Chapel to choose the next leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. Speculation about the direction of the next papacy is already circulating, with debates centering on whether the cardinals will favor continuity with Francis’ progressive vision or a return to a more traditionalist approach.
For now, the focus remains on honoring Pope Francis’ legacy. As his body lies in state, the faithful are reflecting on his words from his final public audience on April 16, 2025, when he urged Catholics to “build a Church that walks with the poor and embraces all.” In St. Peter’s Basilica, where his coffin rests under the gaze of Michelangelo’s Pieta, that message continues to resonate.
The Vatican has encouraged those unable to attend in person to join in prayer through livestreams of the viewing and funeral, available on Vatican News and other Catholic media platforms. For the millions touched by Pope Francis’ ministry, this moment marks both a farewell and a celebration of a pontificate that sought to bring the Church closer to the heart of humanity.
