Vatican City, Apr 22 (V7N)- The Vatican has officially announced that the funeral of Pope Francis will take place on Saturday, April 26, at 10:00 AM local time in the open courtyard in front of St. Peter’s Basilica. The ceremony will be a solemn farewell to the beloved pontiff, who passed away on Monday (April 21) at the age of 88.

According to a report by BBC News, the funeral will be led by Giovanni Battista Re, the Dean of the College of Cardinals, and will be attended by the highest religious figures of the Catholic Church. The service will include the “Final Prayer of Dedication,” symbolically entrusting the Pope’s soul to God.

Following the prayer, Pope Francis' body will be taken in procession to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, where he will be laid to rest.

Born Giorgio Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, Pope Francis became the first Latin American Pope and the first Jesuit pontiff in the history of the Church. His papacy was marked by a strong focus on humility, interfaith dialogue, social justice, climate action, and care for the marginalized.

Pope Francis had been battling long-term health issues, including recurring respiratory infections and mobility limitations. The Vatican confirmed that he breathed his last at 7:35 AM local time on Monday.

Condolences have poured in from religious leaders, global heads of state, and millions of followers around the world, mourning the loss of a leader known for his compassion, reformist vision, and unwavering call for peace and humanity.

Security preparations and large-scale arrangements are already underway in Rome, with tens of thousands of mourners expected to attend the historic funeral.

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