Pope Francis's Funeral Set for April 25 in Vatican City

Pope Francis, who died at age 88, is being honored with a simpler funeral in Vatican City, following changes he introduced to papal burial rites. His body lay in state for three days at St. Peter’s Basilica, drawing large crowds of mourners, dignitaries, and heads of state, including former Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden, Prince William, and other global leaders. The funeral mass, led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista, will take place in St. Peter’s Square, with the Pope’s coffin facing the pews rather than elevated, and he will be buried in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, outside the Vatican, instead of the traditional Vatican grottoes. Unlike past popes, Francis opted for a single wooden coffin lined with zinc, foregoing the customary three-coffin burial. The atmosphere in Rome has been described as reflective and subdued, with people from all walks of life marking his passing, and a nine-day mourning period with daily masses will follow the funeral. Special embalming techniques were used to preserve his body during the public viewing due to Rome's climate.