Public funeral rites for Pope Francis began this Wednesday with a moving ceremony at St. Peter’s Basilica, marking the start of three days of mourning and prayer for the pontiff, who passed away on Monday at the age of 88 following a stroke.
The coffin was transferred from the Casa Santa Marta residence to the Vatican in a solemn procession led by Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, the Camerlengo of the Catholic Church, who presided over the initial prayer. The funeral procession passed through Santa Marta Square and the Square of the Roman Protomartyrs before arriving at St. Peter’s Square.
The procession entered through the central door of the Basilica, where Patriarchs, Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, and members of the Papal Chapel, all dressed in choir robes, accompanied the coffin in a ceremony rich in symbolism and reverence.
Inside the church, the body of Pope Francis was placed before the Altar of the Confession, beneath Bernini’s magnificent baldachin, one of the most sacred sites in Christendom.
The Liturgy of the Word officially marked the beginning of public tributes, which will continue through Friday. During this time, the Basilica will remain open until midnight on Wednesday and Thursday, allowing thousands of faithful to pay their final respects to the pontiff, whose pastoral work left a lasting impact on the modern Church.
The funeral rites will conclude on Friday with a ceremony expected to draw vast crowds of pilgrims, religious leaders, dignitaries, and heads of state, in what is anticipated to be a massive tribute to one of the most influential popes in recent decades.
In light of the overwhelming turnout, the Vatican announced on Wednesday that it is considering extending the Basilica’s opening hours beyond midnight, possibly until after 10:00 PM GMT, exceeding the original schedule: midnight closures on Wednesday and Thursday, and 7:00 PM local time (5:00 PM GMT) on Friday.
Among the first to pay tribute was Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who visited St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday to bid farewell to the pope. Later, she addressed the Chamber of Deputies during the Commemoration of His Holiness Pope Francis, recalling his final words and praising his unwavering mission in the Catholic Church, which he upheld until his last day.
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