Pope Francis dies: Funeral to be held on Saturday, confirms Vatican; releases first photos of Pope Francis in open coffin

The football-loving head of the Roman Catholic Church Pope Francis’ memory lives on at the San Lorenzo football club’s chapel — where he had been a member for over a decade.

In addition to fellow football fans remembering the pope, club President Marcelo Moretti also bid the pontiff a warm farewell. “The Pope leaves an unbreakable legacy ,” he told Reuters. “For all San Lorenzo fans, he was a source of great pride. It is a very sad day. “

Football fans mourning the pope’s death seen carrying shirts bearing Pope Francis’ face and name. They also lit candles near a life-size statue of the pope, which is adorned with the club’s colours. The San Lorenzo fans club members even shared on social media how Pope Francis’ death time coincided with his club membership number.

” He died at 88 years old, at 2.35am (8.35am Singapore time) and was member 88235. It really caught my attention,” a local fan wrote on X.

The football club is further planning events to commemorate the pontiff at the on-site chapel.

With condolences over the death of Pope Francis pouring in from the world, Israeli government also joined the pool and shared a social media tribute to the pontiff. However, it was soon deleted without any explanation.

“Rest in Peace, Pope Francis. May his memory be a blessing,” the Israel account posted on Monday, along with an image of the pope in Jerusalem, as per Reuters.

Israeli newspaper The Jerusalem Post linked the post’s removal to the pope having made “statements against Israel.” It also quoted foreign ministry officials as claiming that the SNS update had been erroneously published.

On the contrary, Al Jazeera reported on Tuesday that Pope Francis gave Gaza Christians “strength.” A 72-year-old man, who had to shelter in the same Catholic church compound in Gaza City where his wife and daughter were killed, said of the pope, “During his call, he prayed for peace and resilience for us in Gaza. He never forgot the word ‘peace’ in any of his calls with us throughout the war. His support included all of us – Christians and Muslims alike. He prayed daily for our safety.”

Even Pope Francis’ last message to the world included a note on the Israel and Palestine conflict, urging for a ceasefire in Gaza.

“I express my closeness to the sufferings of Christians in Palestine and Israel, and to all the Israeli people and the Palestinian people. The growing climate of anti-Semitism throughout the world is worrisome. Yet at the same time, I think of the people of Gaza, and its Christian community in particular, where the terrible conflict continues to cause death and destruction and to create a dramatic and deplorable humanitarian situation. I appeal to the warring parties: call a ceasefire, release the hostages and come to the aid of a starving people that aspires to a future of peace,” his lengthy post read.

The top-tier Italian football league Serie A has postponed Saturday games in light of Pope Francis’ funeral. With the pontiff’s final rites to be held that day (April 26) in Rome, three fixtures have been moved back until Sunday, the league announced on Tuesday.

Como v Genoa and Inter Milan v Roma will now take place on Sunday, while Lazio v Parma has been rescheduled for Monday.

Four matches of Italian football were scheduled for this Monday, April 21. They were also postponed as the news of Pope Francis’ death broke out. Four Serie A matches – Torino v Udinese, Cagliari v Fiorentina, Genoa v Lazio and Parma v Juventus, which were scheduled for Easter Monday, will now be played on Wednesday, April 23 instead.

The late pontiff himself was a football fan. He was known to have supported Argentine club San Lorenzo since his childhood , as per BBC.

The weather for Pope Francis’ funeral at the Vatican on Saturday is predicted to be dry and sunny, with a gentle westerly breeze and a few cumulus clouds dotting the clear blue skies.

Temperatures will start at 23°C (73°F) and rise to 26°C (79°F) in the afternoon, making for a warm and pleasant day. Rain and thunderstorms are not expected, with conditions remaining clear in southern and eastern Italy.

The Vatican announced that Pope Francis’ funeral will take place this Saturday in St. Peter’s Square, following a decision by Roman Catholic cardinals on Tuesday.

The 88-year-old pontiff passed away on Monday after suffering a stroke and cardiac arrest, marking the end of a tenure defined by bold reforms, advocacy for the underprivileged, and tensions with conservative factions within the Church.

Earlier this year, Francis had spent several weeks hospitalised due to severe pneumonia. World leaders and thousands of mourners are expected to gather for the solemn farewell.

The Vatican in a statement has confirmed that the funeral for Pope Francis will be held on Saturday this week. The funeral will begin at 10:00 am.

At a cabinet meeting planned for this morning, the Italian government said that Fabio Ciciliano, who leads Italy’s civil protection department, will be given the job of managing the arrangements and services for Pope Francis’s funeral, the New York Times reported. This same department had also handled the funeral of Pope John Paul II in 2005, which was attended by around two million people.

When a new pope is elected, the world watches not only who is chosen but what name he takes. While not mandatory, this tradition has been followed for over 1,000 years and carries deep symbolic weight.

Becoming pope marks a spiritual transformation. Much like biblical figures like Simon became Peter, Saul became Paul, a new name reflects a renewed purpose. It’s a way for the pope to signal the tone and vision of his papacy from the very start.

Often, popes choose names that pay homage to past leaders or saints who inspire them. Pope Francis, for example, chose his name to honor St Francis of Assisi, symbolising humility, compassion and a commitment to the poor.

A new name also marks the transition from private citizen to the spiritual head of 1.3 billion Catholics. It represents leaving behind a personal and national identity to take on a universal one.

The first pope to officially adopt a new name was Pope John II in the year 533. Born Mercurius, he chose something more fitting for a Christian leader. Since the 16th century, every pope has followed suit.

Kerala government has announced a three-day mourning period following the death of Pope Francis. State mourning will be observed on April 22 and 23, with an additional day to be observed on the day of the Pope’s funeral. The date of the funeral will be communicated separately. As per the 2011 census, a little over 18% of the state’s population identified as Christians.

Following Pope Francis’ passing, attention has turned to the College of Cardinals and the difficult task of selecting the next pontiff. Predicting the next pope is notoriously tricky, especially since Francis’ diverse cardinal appointments have blurred traditional voting blocs. Still, several names have emerged as serious contenders.

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa (60), the Vatican’s top Middle East envoy, has gained attention for his experience in conflict zones and his independent stance from Vatican politics. His reserved doctrinal views may appeal to a broad range of cardinals, though some consider him too young.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin (70), Francis’ secretary of state since 2013, is a seasoned diplomat and Vatican insider. Fluent in multiple languages, Parolin has played key roles in negotiations with China and Vietnam and represents continuity and administrative expertise.

Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo (65), Archbishop of Kinshasa, is a prominent African voice in the Church. Though close to Francis, his opposition to blessings for same-sex couples highlights Africa’s conservative stance, which could complicate his candidacy.

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (67), from the Philippines, is often described as the “Asian Francis”. Charismatic and progressive, Tagle has championed inclusivity but remains rooted in traditional doctrine, making him a symbolic bridge between East and West.

Cardinal Matteo Zuppi (69), a progressive Italian close to the Sant’Egidio community, aligns strongly with Francis’ pastoral priorities. His openness to L.G.B.T. Catholics and active peace diplomacy may endear him to reform-minded cardinals, though some worry about outside influence.

Cardinal Peter Erdo (72), a Hungarian canon law expert, appeals to conservatives and champions traditional values. A skilled diplomat, he’s seen as a guardian of orthodoxy in an increasingly secular world.

Cardinal Anders Arborelius (75), Sweden’s first cardinal, symbolises Catholicism’s growth in secular Europe. Though inclusive in tone, he holds conservative views on same-sex blessings and warns against political divisions in the Church.

(With inputs from AP)

The Southeast Asian nation of East Timor, one of world’s most devout Catholic countries, has announced a week of national mourning to honor the passing of Pope Francis. With 97% of its 1.3 million citizens identifying as Catholic, East Timor has the highest Catholic population outside the Vatican. The late pontiff held a special place in the hearts of many Timorese, having visited the country during his landmark Asian tour last year. His arrival drew nearly half the population to an open-air Mass, reflecting the deep spiritual bond between the nation and the Church.

Churches across the country held special Masses and national flags were lowered to half-mast. President Jose Ramos-Horta described the pope’s death as a “tremendous loss for the world, not just for Christians”. The Catholic Church has long played a crucial role in East Timor’s modern history, particularly during its struggle for independence from Indonesia.

(Timorese Catholics carry a cut-out of Pope Francis during a procession ahead of a prayer service, following his death, in Dili, East Timor. Image: AP)

Pope Francis died at the age of 88, the Vatican announced on Monday. As the 266th pope, his passing away resulted in an outpouring of tributes from leaders and faithful around the globe.

His death follows a recent battle with double pneumonia, which had kept him hospitalized for five weeks at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.

Just a day before his death, the pontiff made what would be his final public appearance, greeting thousands of worshippers in St Peter’s Square from his Popemobile and offering a blessing delivered through an aide during Easter celebrations.

More pictures here

Cardinals will gather on Tuesday morning to begin preparations for Pope Francis’s funeral. Those currently in Rome have been invited to plan the rites following the pontiff’s passing.

One of the key decisions expected during the meeting is when the Pope’s body will be moved to St. Peter’s Basilica, allowing the public to pay their final respects. The Vatican had previously indicated that this transfer could take place as early as Wednesday morning.

Pope Francis’s death initiates a period of nine days of official mourning, known as the Novendiales. During this time, special prayers and masses will be held in his honor. Traditionally, the funeral and burial take place between the fourth and sixth day of mourning, though the exact date is yet to be confirmed.

Pope Francis frequently spoke out about the conflict in Gaza and maintained close contact with Palestinian Christians living there. He stayed in regular communication with the Latin-rite Church of the Holy Family in Gaza, offering support and solidarity.

A BBC report quoted Father Gabriel Romanelli, the parish priest, that the pope called them almost daily for more than a year and a half to check on their well-being, going so far as to learn a few phrases in Arabic to connect more deeply with the community.

Romanelli recalled his final conversation with the pope on Saturday. “He called us and gave us his blessing. He thanked us for our prayers for him,” he told BBC.

Living and ministering in Gaza has never been easy, Romanelli added. “So as a pastor here, to feel the closeness of the Pope himself… it was a powerful reminder of the Lord’s mercy and a deep source of strength for us to continue our mission within His Church.”

“Oh, how I would like a poor Church, and for the poor,” Pope Francis once famously declared. From the outset, he cast his vision for a Church grounded in compassion and solidarity.

From the moment he was elected, Pope Francis made it clear that his papacy would break with tradition. On 13 March 2013, he stepped onto the balcony overlooking St Peter’s Square but not in ornate robes, but simply dressed in white. His choice of the name “Francis” honored St. Francis of Assisi, the humble 13th-century saint known for his devotion to the poor and to nature.

Francis greeted the world not with grandeur, but with humility. He met his fellow cardinals informally, standing among them rather than seated on the traditional papal throne. He declined the customary papal limousine and chose instead to ride the bus back with the other cardinals, setting the tone for a pontificate focused on simplicity and service.

Grief swept across the globe on Monday as the world mourned the passing of Pope Francis, who died at the age of 88. From small parishes to major landmarks, tributes poured in for the 266th pontiff, remembered for his compassion, humility and progressive vision for the Catholic Church.

Church bells tolled solemnly — 88 times in the St. Bartholomew Parish in the Philippines, one for each year of his life. In Paris, the recently restored Notre Dame Cathedral echoed with mourning chimes, while the Eiffel Tower went dark in his honor. Across the Atlantic, New York’s Empire State Building was illuminated in gold and white, the colors of the Vatican flag.

Francis, the first pope from Latin America and the first Jesuit to hold the papacy, was hailed for championing the poor, advocating peace in war-torn regions and promoting environmental stewardship. He also pushed the Church toward greater acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals, challenging long-standing doctrines with grace and empathy.

Pope Francis made his final public appearance on Easter Sunday, stepping onto the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica—the very spot where he was first introduced to the world as the 266th pontiff on March 13, 2013. Before delivering the traditional blessing to a sea of thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square, he had a brief meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance. In a heartfelt moment that surprised many, Francis then took a celebratory ride through the piazza in the popemobile, drawing thunderous applause and cheers from the crowd.

In a solemn post-papal tradition, Vatican officials sealed the doors of the papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace with a red ribbon and wax, symbolizing the official end of the late pontiff’s reign. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the camerlengo and acting administrator of the Vatican until a new pope is elected, personally inspected and confirmed the doors were secured.

Although the Apostolic Palace was his official residence, Pope Francis had chosen to reside instead in the Vatican guesthouse throughout his papacy.

WATCH:

When the Pope passes away, it sets into motion a sacred and time-honored tradition dating back centuries.

The Pope is considered by Roman Catholics to be the successor of Saint Peter, the disciple chosen by Jesus himself. With Pope Francis’s passing, the Catholic Church now prepares for one of its most solemn and mysterious events: the election of a new pontiff.

This enormous responsibility falls to the College of Cardinals. It is an elite assembly of senior male clerics, handpicked by the Church, most of whom are ordained bishops. Of the current 252 members, only about 135 are under the age of 80 and therefore eligible to vote.

The cardinals will converge at the Vatican for a secretive gathering known as a ‘conclave’, held inside the Sistine Chapel beneath Michelangelo’s iconic ceiling. Locked away from the world, they will cast their votes in strict confidentiality, over multiple rounds if needed, until a new Pope is chosen. Some elections have lasted for weeks, even months, throughout history, with intense deliberations and occasionally, unexpected deaths during the ‘conclave’ itself.

The outside world waits, watching the chimney atop the chapel for a sign. Black smoke means no decision has been made. But when white smoke finally rises into the sky—it’s the signal: ‘Habemus Papam’ — ‘We have a Pope’.

We continue to bring you the latest updates from Vatican a day after Pope Francis passed away. He will become the first Pope in over a hundred years to forgo burial in the Vatican’s hallowed crypt beneath St Peter’s Basilica. Instead, he has chosen to be laid to rest in Rome’s Basilica of St Mary Major.

In keeping with his lifelong simplicity, Pope Francis has also requested a plain wooden casket for his burial, breaking from the centuries-old tradition of three nested coffins crafted from cypress, lead and oak that housed his predecessors.

The Vatican has announced that Pope Francis died following a cerebral stroke, which left him in a coma and resulted in irreversible heart failure.

Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, head of the Vatican’s health services, confirmed that the Pope had also been battling respiratory complications, bilateral pneumonia, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension.

He passed away peacefully at 7:35 a.m. on Monday.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has announced a three-day State Mourning in India to honour the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, Supreme Pontiff of the Holy See, on 21st April 2025.

As a mark of respect, the following mourning period will be observed:

Two days of State Mourning on Tuesday, 22nd April 2025, and Wednesday, 23rd April 2025.

One day of State Mourning on the day of the Pope’s funeral, which will be announced later.

During this period, the National Flag will be flown at half-mast across India on all government buildings where the flag is regularly hoisted. Additionally, there will be no official entertainment during the State Mourning.

Pope Francis, who led the Catholic Church with compassion and commitment, left behind a legacy of peace, unity, and service to humanity. His death has left a deep impact on millions of people worldwide. The State Mourning is a gesture of solidarity with the global Catholic community, reflecting India’s respect for the late pontiff and his contributions to religious harmony and global diplomacy.

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, began his journey to the papacy at a young age. In March 1958, he entered the novitiate of the Society of Jesus, starting his path to becoming a Jesuit priest.

Ordained in December 1969, Bergoglio served in various roles, including Auxiliary Bishop of Buenos Aires in 1992 and Archbishop in 1998. Created Cardinal in 2001, he participated in the 2005 Conclave that elected Pope Benedict XVI.

On March 13, 2013, Bergoglio was elected as Pope, taking the name Pope Francis and being installed six days later.

Following the death of Pope Francis, Cardinal Kevin Farrell has assumed the role of acting head of the Roman Catholic Church. As Camerlengo, Farrell oversees Vatican affairs from the Pope’s passing until a new pontiff is elected.

This morning, he formally announced the Pope’s death and will preside over the “rite of the confirmation of death,” placing the late pontiff’s body in a coffin. Born in Dublin, Farrell studied in Spain and Rome before becoming Bishop of Dallas in 2007.

In 2019, Pope Francis appointed him Camerlengo, entrusting him with a crucial role during the Church’s period of transition.

The responsibility of choosing a new Pope lies with the Catholic Church’s highest-ranking officials, the College of Cardinals. These men, appointed directly by the Pope and typically ordained bishops, gather in a conclave to elect the next leader of the global Church.

At present, there are 252 cardinals worldwide, but only 135 of them are eligible to vote, as Church law restricts voting rights to those under the age of 80. While the older cardinals cannot cast a ballot, they are still permitted to take part in discussions and offer guidance during the deliberations ahead of the papal election.

The Vatican’s official website homepage has been updated to reflect the passing of Pope Francis. It now displays the phrase “Apostolica Sedes Vacans”, Latin for “the Apostolic See is vacant”. Just yesterday, the page featured an image of Pope Francis and details about his papacy.

At present, 135 cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible, according to Church law, to participate in a conclave to elect the next pope. This centuries-old process is held in strict secrecy within the Vatican, with cardinals gathering in the Sistine Chapel to cast ballots until a new pontiff is chosen.

The Vatican has announced it will hold a prayer service in St Peter’s Square this evening at 19:30 local time (18:30 BST).

According to a statement on its official X account, Cardinal Mauro Gambetti will lead the faithful in reciting the rosary, a traditional series of prayers.

Throughout the day, large crowds have gathered in the square to honour and remember Pope Francis, offering prayers and tributes following news of his passing. The evening service is expected to draw even more mourners as the Vatican community comes together in reflection and remembrance.

Pope Francis’s funeral will depart from tradition, reflecting his wishes for simplicity. The ceremony will begin with Cardinal Kevin Farrell performing the “rite of the confirmation of death” and placing the pontiff’s body in a simple wooden coffin.

Unlike previous papal funerals, his body won’t be displayed on a raised platform. Instead, mourners can pay their respects while his body lies in the open coffin.

Francis also requested to be buried at the Basilica of St Mary Major in Rome, making him the first Pope in over a century to be laid to rest outside Vatican grounds.

As previously reported, Pope Francis’s funeral will be simpler than those of his predecessors, following his own wishes to scale back the ceremony. Attention will soon turn to the election of his successor.

A total of 138 Catholic cardinals from around the world will gather for a conclave — a secretive and solemn process held within the Sistine Chapel.

During this, they will cast their votes to elect the next Pope, with strict protocols ensuring confidentiality until a decision is reached. The world will watch closely as the Catholic Church prepares for this historic transition.

After being discharged from hospital on 23 March following treatment for pneumonia, Pope Francis made several public appearances in his final weeks.

On 6 April, he appeared in a wheelchair at the Vatican, followed by a private meeting with King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

He visited St Peter’s Basilica on 10 April, notably without his traditional papal attire. During Easter, he made a surprise Holy Thursday visit to Regina Coeli prison, greeting inmates. On Easter Saturday, he prayed with the faithful at St Peter’s.

His final appearance came on Easter Sunday, addressing crowds and meeting US Vice-President JD Vance.