Pope Francis dies latest: Funeral date and time confirmed by Vatican with pontiff’s body to go on public display

By JAMIE BULLEN

Published: 07:47 BST, 22 April 2025 | Updated: 10:11 BST, 22 April 2025

The funeral of the late Pope Francis will take place on Saturday, with his body going on public display from Wednesday for mourners to pay their respects.

The news came as the first images of the late pontiff were published by the Vatican .

The 88-year-old, who died on Easter Monday, was pictured lying in a wooden coffin dressed in red, with rosary beads draped across his hands.

It has been confirmed that Francis’s body will be on display for the public to pay their respects in St Peter’s Basilica from Wednesday morning.

Follow live updates below

Watch: Pope Francis body laid out in open coffin as funeral date and time revealed

Good morning and welcome to our live coveraege of the death of Pope Francis.

This morning, the Vatican has released video and photographs of Francis in an open coffin as cardinals gather to discuss his funeral arrangements.

Senior Catholic officials have confirmed the funeral will take place on Saturday at 10am local time (9am UK time)

It comes as world leaders declare they will attend the service with Donald Trump, Emmanuel Macron and Volodymyr Zelensky all confirming they will be in Rome.

King Charles wears black tie in mark of respect for Pope Francis

The King has worn a black tie as a mark of respect to the Pope as he met the prime minister of New Zealand at Windsor Castle.

Charles, who is head of the Church of England, carried out his first official engagement since the death of the pontiff, the head of the Roman Catholic Church, on Easter Monday.

The King and New Zealand’s premier Christopher Luxon, who was also wearing a black tie, were said to have taken the opportunity to “reflect on Pope Francis’s remarkable life and legacy”, a source said.

Charles and the Queen had a moving private meeting with Pope Francis on their state visit to Italy, just 12 days before the 88-year-old died after a cerebral stroke.

The King has expressed his “most heartfelt condolences and profound sympathy” and praised Pope Francis’s compassion and tireless commitment to the common causes of all people of faith.

The monarch, who is also King of New Zealand, welcomed Mr Luxon to his Berkshire castle on Monday.

Vatican confirms Pope funeral to take place on Saturday

The funeral of the late Pope Francis will take place on Saturday, with his body going on public display from Wednesday for mourners to pay their respects.

The news came as the first images of the late pontiff were published.

The 88-year-old, who died on Easter Monday, was pictured lying in a wooden coffin dressed in red, with rosary beads draped across his hands.

It has been confirmed that Francis’s body will be on display for the public to pay their respects in St Peter’s Basilica from Wednesday morning.

Details of Francis’s funeral have also been confirmed, with mass to take place at 10am local time (9am UK time) on Saturday, celebrated by the dean of the College of Cardinals.

Pope Francis funeral likely to take place on Saturday, Italian media report

Italian media are reporting the funeral of Pope Francis is likely to take place on Saturday.

According to the apostolic constitution, rules issued by the Pope for matters of great importance to the Catholic Church,the funeral is expected to take place four to six days after a death.

That would mean the service is expected on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Multiple Italian news outlets are today reporting Saturday is the most likeliest day.

Cardinals are expected to arrange the funeral date this morning.

Macron and Zelensky to attend funeral

Emmanuel Macron and Volodymyr Zelensky pictured in Paris last month

World leaders Emmanuel Macron and Volodymyr Zelensky have become the latest to declare they will attend the funeral of Pope Francis.

Mr Macron, the French premier, told reporters: ‘We will attend the pope’s funeral as we should’, while a source at the Ukrainian presidency said Mr Zelensky is preparing to travel to Rome.

The source told the AFP news agency:

The office of the president is awaiting the date of the Pope’s burial and preparing the president’s visit to Rome to bid farewell to the pontiff.

When are cardinals meeting to discuss Pope’s funeral?

Cardinals were scheduled to meet at 9am local time (8am UK time) at the Vatican to begin scheduling Pope Francis’ funeral and burial.

They will also plan the conclave to elect his successor and make other decisions about running the Catholic Church as world leaders and the ordinary faithful grieve the pontiff’s death.

Most immediately, they will determine when his body can be moved into St. Peter’s Basilica for public viewing.

Francis died Monday at age 88 after suffering a stroke that put him in a coma and led his heart to fail.

He had been recovering in his apartment after being hospitalised for five weeks with pneumonia.

He made his last public appearance Sunday, delivering an Easter blessing and making what would be his final greeting to followers from his popemobile, looping around St. Peter’s Square.

Breaking:Vatican publishes images of Pope Francis in open coffin

The Vatican has published photographs of Pope Francis in his open coffin, dressed in a red robe with the papal mitre on his head and a rosary in his hand.

The images were taken in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta, Francis’s residence at the Vatican where he died Monday, age 88.

The body of Pope Francis has been laid out in open coffin at the Vatican for the Confirmation of the Death of the Pontiff ceremony.

The rite confirming Francis’ death and the placement of his body in the coffin took place last night at the Chapel of Santa Marta, the Vatican has said.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo, read the official declaration of death aloud in a ceremony lasting just under an hour.

Seals were also placed on the papal apartment in the Apostolic Palace and on the apartment in Chapel of Santa Marta, where Francis had resided.

Top story: All eyes on the Vatican as cardinals meet to plan Pope’s funeral

Cardinals are set to meet today to plan a funeral for Pope Francis, as tributes continue to pour in following his death.

The world will be watching Vatican City after the death of the 88-year-old pontiff on Easter Monday.

Pope Francis died after a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure, the Vatican said.

Tributes poured in from around the world on Monday, including from the King and other world leaders, with many praising the Pope for his advocacy for the marginalised.

Read our top story on MailOnline:

Pope Francis funeral arrangements to be discussed

Good morning and welcome back to MailOnline’s live coverage of the death of Pope Francis.

This morning, cardinals will gather in the Vatican to make arrangements for the funeral which would usually take place between four and six days following the Pope’s death.

US President Donald Trump said on social media he and his wife Melania plan to attend the funeral.

It comes after tributes to Francis poured in from across the world on Monday after his death was announced in the morning.

We will continue to report the latest news and reaction throughout the day.

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Pope Francis dies latest: Funeral date and time confirmed by Vatican with pontiff’s body to go on public display

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