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

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After being discharged from the hospital on 23 March following treatment for pneumonia, Pope Francis made several notable public appearances.

On 6 April, he appeared in a wheelchair at the Vatican, his first public outing since his discharge. Three days later, he met King Charles III and Queen Camilla privately.

On 10 April, he visited St. Peter’s Basilica, not wearing his usual papal attire.

During the Easter period, he made an unexpected visit to Regina Coeli prison, greeting inmates on Holy Thursday, and stopped to pray with the faithful at St. Peter’s Basilica on Easter Saturday.

His final appearance was on Easter Sunday in St. Peter’s Square.

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“We are all deeply shocked this morning,” says Maria, a Spanish tourist visiting Rome, in an interview with the BBC.

“It’s a great loss for the Church,” she adds, “but we’re grateful to be here.”

Maria reflects on how Pope Francis consistently encouraged young people to embrace the Church’s values and beliefs, something she believes has been invaluable for youth.

“When asked about his legacy, she says, ‘I will remember the messages and quotes he shared with us.'”

On the passing away of Pope Francis, Former Archbishop of Bombay, Cardinal Oswald Gracias says, “Pope Francis was a person who spent his life for the sake of the people. His messages were continuously for the world were for peace, compassion for the poor and this same orientation he wanted in the Chruch. He spoke so strongly on migration and the rights of migrants. Even in his personal dealings with world leaders, he insisted on this…He was a man of prayer, dedication and a man of the people…Tomorrow, the cardinals in Rome will meet. I will also leave for Rome in two days. The first thing that they will decide on is when to hold the funeral rites…”

Visuals from Vatican’s St. Peter’s Square

Mourners are gathering in St. Peter’s Square, overcome with shock and sorrow. According to reports, people were seen weeping in the streets as they made their way to the iconic square.

The Union Flag will be flown at half-mast at royal residences where King Charles III is not present, in honour of Pope Francis’s passing. According to a royal source, sombre music will accompany the Changing the Guard ceremony to reflect the solemnity of the moment. A member of the Royal Family is expected to attend the Pope’s funeral, pending confirmation from the Vatican, though it remains too early to determine who will represent the monarchy.

Delivered on Easter Sunday from the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, where for the first time Catholics and Orthodox Christians jointly celebrated Easter, Pope Francis’s final message was a heartfelt plea for peace in Ukraine and across the world.

In his message, he declared:
“There can be no peace without freedom of religion, freedom of thought, freedom of expression, and respect for differing views. Nor is peace possible without genuine disarmament. The obligation for self-defence must never turn into an arms race.”

The Pope prayed for an end to the war in Ukraine, asking that “the risen Christ may grant his Easter gift of peace to Ukraine, devastated by conflict, and inspire all parties to work for a just and lasting peace.”

He also remembered the suffering people of Myanmar and Sudan.
Calling attention to the long-running violence in Myanmar, he urged support for those enduring armed conflict and recovering from a deadly earthquake in Sagaing. “We pray for the victims and their families and extend gratitude to the volunteers providing relief. The recent ceasefire announcements offer a sign of hope for Myanmar’s future,” he said.

Turning to Africa, Pope Francis called for peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, and South Sudan, praying that “the risen Christ, our hope, may bring comfort to all suffering from violence and conflict.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin extended heartfelt condolences on Pope Francis’s passing, praising his efforts to foster dialogue between the Russian Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches.

In a message to Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Putin acknowledged the Pope’s role in strengthening ties with Russia and expressed sympathy and support to the Catholic clergy during this moment of loss.

The Kremlin has remembered Pope Francis as a “defender of the highest values of humanism and justice.”

In an official statement, Russian President Vladimir Putin recalled having the privilege of meeting and speaking with the pontiff on several occasions. “He will forever cherish the fondest memory of this remarkable man,” the Kremlin added.

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer paid tribute to Pope Francis on X, expressing deep sorrow at his passing. He praised the Pope’s courageous, humble leadership and tireless advocacy for the poor and forgotten.

PM Starmer extended heartfelt condolences to the global Catholic community on behalf of the people of the United Kingdom.

Among the final high-profile meetings Pope Francis held was with King Charles and Queen Camilla, just two weeks before his passing.

According to a BBC report, the private gathering took place at the Casa Santa Maria in the Vatican, where the Pope had been recuperating.

Although the official state visit was cancelled due to the Pope’s health, Buckingham Palace described the encounter as a “very significant and special moment” during the royal couple’s visit to Italy.

The meeting coincided with the King and Queen’s 20th wedding anniversary, with Pope Francis offering them heartfelt wishes and exchanging prayers for each other’s health.

Following Pope Francis’ death, King Charles has released the following message:

“My wife and I were most deeply saddened to learn of the death of Pope Francis. Our heavy hearts have been somewhat eased, however, to know that His Holiness was able to share an Easter Greeting with the Church and the world he served with such devotion throughout his life and ministry.

His Holiness will be remembered for his compassion, his concern for the unity of the Church and for his tireless commitment to the common causes of all people of faith, and to those of goodwill who work for the benefit of others. His belief that care for Creation is an existential expression of faith in God resounded with so many across the world.

Through his work and care for both people and planet, he profoundly touched the lives of so many.

The Queen and I remember with particular affection our meetings with His Holiness over the years and we were greatly moved to have been able to visit him earlier in the month.

We send our most heart-felt condolences and profound sympathy to the Church he served with such resolve and to the countless people around the world who, inspired by his life, will be mourning the devastating loss of this faithful follower of Jesus Christ."

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Pope Francis inspired millions beyond the Catholic Church with his profound humility and pure, unwavering love for the less fortunate and marginalised.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu mourned Pope Francis’s passing, calling him a beacon of hope who inspired millions with humility and compassion. Naidu extended heartfelt condolences to the global Catholic community and all touched by the pontiff’s enduring legacy of peace, love, and kindness in a post on X.

US Vice-President JD Vance expressed sorrow over Pope Francis’s passing, saying his “heart goes out to the millions of Christians worldwide who loved him.”

Vance, who arrived in Rome on Friday, met Vatican officials and shared a brief private meeting with the Pope on Saturday — a moment he described as deeply meaningful and humbling.

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Leaders of UK political parties have paid tribute to Pope Francis, praising his courage and leadership. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch honoured his “humility, courage and conviction.” Sir Ed Davey called him a “leader of compassion.”

Nigel Farage extended sympathies to Catholics, while Eluned Morgan and John Swinney praised his compassionate, reassuring leadership.

The White House paid tribute to Pope Francis on X, sharing heartfelt words: “Rest in Peace, Pope Francis.” The post featured a photo of the pontiff with former President Donald Trump and Melania, alongside a recent image of Pope Francis meeting Senator JD Vance, honouring his enduring global legacy.

On Pope Francis’ passing, Cardinal Cleemis Baselois Cleemis Thottunkal expressed heartfelt condolences, remembering him as a leader for humanity and a voice for the marginalised. He recalled the Pope’s affection for India, noting his remark, “Your country is a great country,” following his meeting with the Indian Prime Minister.

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US Vice President JD Vance, who met Pope Francis on Easter Sunday posted his condolences, “My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him. I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill.”

“But I’ll always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days of COVID. It was really quite beautiful. May God rest his soul,” he wrote in a post on X.

Vance is currently on a visit to India.

A mass for Pope Francis will be held on Wednesday morning at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said. 

The Patriarchate announced a “mass at the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre” on Wednesday at 1230 GMT, “presided over by His Beatitude Cardinal Pizzaballa and members of the Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries”. 

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Pope Francis, describing it as the loss of “a great man, a great shepherd.”

In a heartfelt statement, Meloni said she was fortunate to share a close bond with the Pope. “I had the privilege of enjoying his friendship, his advice, his teachings, which never ceased, not even during times of trial and suffering,” she said.

“We bid farewell to the Holy Father with hearts full of sadness,” the prime minister added.

“Deeply pained by the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. In this hour of grief and remembrance, my heartfelt condolences to the global Catholic community. Pope Francis will always be remembered as a beacon of compassion, humility and spiritual courage by millions across the world,” PM Modi offered his condolences.

“From a young age, he devoted himself towards realising the ideals of Lord Christ. He diligently served the poor and downtrodden. For those who were suffering, he ignited a spirit of hope.”

Fondly recalling his meetings with the Pope, PM Modi said, “he was greatly inspired by his commitment to inclusive and all-round development. His affection for the people of India will always be cherished. May his soul find eternal peace in God’s embrace.”

“From Buenos Aires to Rome, Pope Francis wanted the Church to bring joy and hope to the poorest. May it unite people with each other and with nature. May this hope continually revive beyond him. My wife and I send our thoughts to all Catholics and to the grieving world,” French President Emmanuel Macron posted on X.

Germany’s chancellor-in-waiting, Friedrich Merz said that Pope Francis would be remembered for his tireless commitment to society’s weakest members.

“Francis will be remembered for his tireless commitment to the weakest in society, to justice and reconciliation. Humility and faith in God’s mercy guided him in this. In doing so, the first Latin American to sit on the Holy See touched people worldwide, across denominational boundaries.” Merz said in a post on X.

“My thoughts at this time are with the faithful around the world who have lost their Holy Father. May he rest in peace,” he further added.

Pope Francis was suffering from chronic lung disease and had a part of one lung removed as a young man. He was admitted to Gemelli hospital on Feb. 14, 2025, for a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia. He had spent 38 days there, the longest hospitalization of his 12-year papacy.

Pope had emerged on Easter Sunday to bless thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square and treat them to a surprise popemobile romp through the piazza, drawing wild cheers and applause.

First Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis changed the face of the modern papacy more than any predecessor by shunning much of its pomp and privilege.

He faced fierce criticism from conservatives, who accused him of trashing cherished traditions. He also drew the ire of progressives, who felt he should have done much more to reshape the 2,000-year-old Church.