The end of an era: Vatican confirms burial date as tributes pour in

The Vatican has announced that Pope Francis’s funeral will hold on Saturday April 26, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. in St Peter’s Square.

The late pontiff, aged 88, died on Easter Monday following a stroke and heart failure, just weeks after battling double pneumonia.

His death occurred at Casa Santa Marta, his residence throughout his 12-year papacy.

Pope Francis’s body will lie in state at St Peter’s Basilica from Wednesday at 9:00 a.m., the Vatican confirmed.

On Tuesday, the first general congregation of cardinals fixed the funeral date and began preparations for electing a new pope.

Francis’s wooden and zinc coffin will later be moved to the Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica for burial.

He will be the first pope in over 100 years to be buried outside the Vatican.

World leaders, including Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelensky, and Emmanuel Macron, have confirmed their attendance.

Argentina declared a week of national mourning, while India began three days of state mourning in his honour.

Photos released on Tuesday showed the pope in red papal vestments, wearing a mitre and holding a rosary.

Thousands gathered in St Peter’s Square Monday night to pay final respects with candles and flowers.

Francis’s last public appearance was on Easter Sunday, where he appeared visibly weak but greeted crowds.

He had been discharged from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on March 23 after a five-week stay.

Francis insisted on a simple tomb bearing only his Latin name, Franciscus, according to his will.

Born Jorge Bergoglio, he was the first pope from the Americas and the first Jesuit to lead the Church.

He championed reforms, defended migrants, and promoted social justice and environmental protection.

Though he retained Church teachings on abortion and celibacy, he pushed for lay participation and financial transparency.

Francis also removed pontifical secrecy in abuse cases but faced criticism for not doing enough.

The conclave to choose his successor will begin within 15 to 20 days after his death.

For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook