Pope Francis, the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, passed away on the morning of Monday, April 21, at the age of 88, after suffering a stroke. His death marks the end of a transformative papacy that began in 2013. The Vatican has announced that his funeral will take place on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. in St. Peter’s Square, Rome.

The ceremony will be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals. In accordance with the Pope’s wishes for simplicity, the liturgy will follow the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis, a traditional papal funeral rite.

Pope Francis’s body has been lying in state at St. Peter’s Basilica since April 23, allowing the faithful to pay their respects. Over 130,000 mourners have visited as of Friday, with the basilica remaining open overnight to accommodate the crowds.

The funeral is expected to draw a significant number of dignitaries from around the world. So far, around 50 heads of state have confirmed their attendance, including U.S. President Donald Trump, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and ten reigning monarchs. The Vatican is preparing for more than 200,000 attendees, with heightened security measures in place.

Following the Mass, Pope Francis will be buried at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, as per his request. This marks the first time in over a century that a pope will be interred outside Vatican City.

From India, President Droupadi Murmu will lead the Indian delegation attending the funeral. She will be accompanied by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State George Kurian, and Goa Deputy Speaker Joshua De Souza. Representing the Tamil Nadu government are Minister S. M. Nasar and MLA Inigo S. Irudayaraj.

Prominent members of the Indian Catholic clergy, including Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Cardinal George Koovakad, and Bishop Ignatius Loyola Mascarenhas, are also expected to be present at the ceremony, which will witness participation from global dignitaries and religious leaders.

Pope Francis funeral: Who will attend?

Asia

India: President Droupadi Murmu

Philippines: President Ferdinand Marcos, First Lady Liza Marcos

Americas

USA: Donald Trump, Melania Trump

Argentina: President Javier Milei

Brazil: President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Janja da Silva

United Nations: Secretary-General Antonio Guterres

Europe

France: President Emmanuel Macron

Germany: President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Ex-Chancellor Olaf Scholz

Hungary: President Tamas Sulyok, PM Viktor Orbán

Ukraine: President Volodymyr Zelensky, First Lady Olena Zelenska

UK: Prince William (on behalf of King Charles III), PM Keir Starmer