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World leaders, cardinals and crowds of pilgrims are expected to flock to the Vatican for Pope Francis’ funeral on Saturday.
The Prince of Wales will join the likes of US president Donald Trump, Sir Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron and Volodymyr Zelensky to pay their respects to the pontiff, who died aged 88 on Monday.
Officials at the Vatican released images of the late pope in an open casket on Tuesday, and confirmed that he had died from a stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure.
He is said to have showed the first signs of sudden illness two hours before passing, according to the Vatican news outlet, which reported he made a gesture of farewell with his hand to his nurse before falling into a coma.
His body will be moved to St Peter’s basilica on Wednesday to allow the public to pay their respects ahead of his funeral in St Peter’s Square and burial at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome.
His death came after he was hospitalised with double pneumonia for several weeks in February, before he returned to the Vatican in mid-March to recover.
Who is currently in charge of the Vatican?
As the Catholic Church enters the “sede vacante”, Cardinal Kevin Farrell is overseeing the Holy See’s administrative and financial duties in absence of a pope.
Cardinal Farrell was born on 2 September 1947 in Dublin. He became an ordained priest in 1978, serving for almost 40 years before Francis made him a cardinal in 2016.
He is the Camerlengo of the Church, meaning that he is in charge while the conclave takes place.
Athena Stavrou23 April 2025 03:35
Pope 'thankful' he returned to square for final time - report
Pope Francis was thankful that he was able to greet people in St. Peter's Square on Easter Sunday, a day before he died, Vatican News reported onTuesday.
The pontiff, who had been recovering after being hospitalised for five weeks with pneumonia, reportedly had initial doubts about his appearance.
"Do you think I can manage it?" the pope asked Massimiliano Strappetti, his personal health care assistant, according to the news agency.
The pope was reassured, and afterward, Francis told Strappetti, "Thank you for bringing me back to the square," Vatican News said.
Athena Stavrou23 April 2025 03:02
Inside story: Pope Francis wrote a memoir, but some dark secrets were never revealed
Pope Francis was unlike any of his predecessors – not least because he was the first to write an autobiography while still in office, writes Catherine Pepinster.
But while he used the book to admits his failings, he came up short when discussing some of the darkest times in the catholic church.
Read our full In Focus article here:
Athena Stavrou23 April 2025 02:16
Watch: How does a new pope get chosen?
How the next pope will be chosen
The conclave period electing the new pope will start on May 5 following a nine-day mourning period.
Here’s what happens:
- Cardinals are not allowed contact with the outside world during the election in the Vatican, which can take days
- Voting takes places in Sistine Chapel before the papers are mixed, counted and opened
- A two-thirds majority is needed, according to a 2007 decree passed by Pope Benedict
- The ballot papers are then burned, with white smoke seen coming out of the chimney if a decision has been made and black smoke if it has not been made
- The announcement of the next pope is made about 15 minutes after white smoke is visible to onlookers
- If black smoke is seen, the voting process continues
Athena Stavrou23 April 2025 01:03
Pope Francis started showing signs of 'sudden illness' at 5:30am
Pope Francis showed the first signs of sudden illness two hours before passing, according to the Vatican news outlet.
They said at he grew ill around 5.30am, prompting an immediate response from those keeping watch over him.
He made a gesture of farewell with his hand to Mr Strappetti, his nurse, around an hour later while he was lying in bed. Francis then fell into a coma.
The outlet said: “He did not suffer, and it all happened very fast.”
Athena Stavrou23 April 2025 00:31
What we know about the Pope's funeral so far
- The funeral has been set for Saturday morning in St Peter’s square
- It will take place at 9am UK time
- It will be attended by the Cardinals and dozens of world leaders - including Prince William and Donald Trump
- The dean of the College of Cardinals, Giovanni Battista Re, will lead the service
- Re will deliver the final commendation at the end of the service, which formally entrusts the Pope to God, and the body moved to St Mary Major for the burial
- The funeral day marks the first of nine days of mourning
Athena Stavrou22 April 2025 23:59
When is Pope Francis’ funeral? Timeline and what to expect from Vatican ceremony
Cardinals congregated the following day to establish the date of the funeral ahead of the papal conclave in which a new pope will be selected.
The mourning process is set to keep in with centuries worth of tradition, including the Novemdiales - or nine days of mourning - which allegedly dates back to Roman times.
Here is the timeline of events from the pope’s death and what will happen going forward:
Athena Stavrou22 April 2025 23:35
Pope Francis needed two months rest before returning to work, doctors said
Doctors told Pope Francis that he needed two months’ rest before he returned to work, after he spent more than five weeks in hospital for a bout of double pneumonia.
Despite the orders of doctors, the pope kept working right to the end.
The day before his death, Francis made his first prolonged public appearance since February, as he entered St. Peter’s Square in a white popemobile to greet cheering crowds.
Athena Stavrou22 April 2025 23:31
Watch: Pope Francis' apartment sealed with red ribbon and wax after his death
Athena Stavrou22 April 2025 23:01
English (US) ·