Pope Francis to Be Buried at Basilica of St. Mary Major on Saturday
Vatican City | April 22, 2025
Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88 on Easter Monday, will be buried on Saturday at the historic Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, the Vatican confirmed.
He died peacefully at his residence in Casa Santa Marta, surrounded by close aides and medical staff. His death marks the end of a 12-year papacy that emphasized humility, interfaith dialogue, and social justice.
Unlike his recent predecessors who were interred beneath St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis had expressed a wish to be buried at St. Mary Major, a Marian shrine he frequently visited and revered deeply.
The Pope’s body will lie in state at St. Peter’s Basilica for public viewing starting Wednesday. A five-day mourning period has been declared by the Holy See.
World leaders, cardinals, and faithful from around the globe are expected to gather for the funeral mass, which will be conducted by the Dean of the College of Cardinals. Security arrangements across Vatican City and Rome are being scaled up ahead of the final rites.
