The Death and Funeral of Pope Francis

[Adda]

With the death of Pope Francis, a long series of events opens in the Vatican that will lead to the conclave to choose the new Pontiff.
- Tonight at 8 pm, the Pontiff's body will be transferred to the Chapel of Casa Santa Marta for the rite of certification of death and deposition in the coffin.
An event that will remain confidential and on which news, and possibly images, will be distributed only later.

- The first general congregation of cardinals will be held on Tuesday 22, with those already in Rome and the others who have managed to reach the capital in these hours. The congregations are the meetings that lead to the conclave and it is here that some subsequent steps will be decided.

- Wednesday 23 April: on this day, the transfer of the body to St. Peter's Basilica could take place, for the faithful to pay homage, as announced by the Vatican press office.

- Funerals between April 25 and 27: according to the rules of Universi Dominici Gregis, they should be held between the fourth and sixth day after death, therefore between Friday April 25 and Sunday April 27, considering that the rite of certification of death will only take place this evening at 8:00 pm. The decision on the date should be taken in the first Congregation of Cardinals. It is therefore likely that the funeral will be held on Saturday April 26.
The celebrant will be the Cardinal Dean, Giovanni Battista Re, who Pope Francis confirmed in his role at the beginning of January

Agenzia ANSA on Instagram: "ADDIO A FRANCESCO | Con la morte di Papa Francesco si apre in Vaticano una lunga serie di appuntamenti che condurranno al conclave per la scelta del nuovo Pontefice. - Stasera alle 20 ci sarà la traslazione della salma del

1,083 likes, 2 comments - agenzia_ansa on April 21, 2025: "ADDIO A FRANCESCO | Con la morte di Papa Francesco si apre in Vaticano una lunga serie di appuntamenti che condurranno al conclave per la scelta del nuovo Pontefice. - Stasera alle 20 ci sarà la traslazione della salma del Pontefice...

www.instagram.com

 

[Blog Real]

Message from the Princess Madeleine of Sweden.

Princess Madeleine of Sweden on Instagram: "Dear Pope Francis, thank you for the compassion and courage you showed in defending vulnerable and exploited children. Your voice gave hope to those who felt invisible, and your actions helped bring safety,

3,247 likes, 31 comments - princess_madeleine_of_sweden on April 21, 2025: "Dear Pope Francis, thank you for the compassion and courage you showed in defending vulnerable and exploited children. Your voice gave hope to those who felt invisible, and your actions helped bring safety, dignity, and...

www.instagram.com

Message from the Princess Camilla of the Bourbon-Two Sicilies.

Princess Camilla di Borbone delle Due Sicilie on Instagram: "Oggi, lunedì dell’Angelo, 21 aprile 2025, ci ha lasciati Sua Santità Papa Francesco. Guida di straordinaria umanità, la sua fede e il suo esempio di dialogo e misericordia resteranno con no

406 likes, 11 comments - camilladebourbon on April 21, 2025: "Oggi, lunedì dell’Angelo, 21 aprile 2025, ci ha lasciati Sua Santità Papa Francesco. Guida di straordinaria umanità, la sua fede e il suo esempio di dialogo e misericordia resteranno con noi per sempre. Non dimenticherò mai...

www.instagram.com

Message from the Carlo, Duke of Castro.

Real Casa di Borbone delle Due Sicilie on Instagram: "Omaggio a Sua Santità Papa Francesco Con profonda tristezza apprendo la notizia della scomparsa di Sua Santità Papa Francesco. Desidero esprimere, insieme alla mia famiglia, il più sincero cordo

243 likes, 4 comments - realcasadiborbone on April 21, 2025: "Omaggio a Sua Santità Papa Francesco Con profonda tristezza apprendo la notizia della scomparsa di Sua Santità Papa Francesco. Desidero esprimere, insieme alla mia famiglia, il più sincero cordoglio alla Santa Sede e a tutti i...

www.instagram.com

Message from the Albert, Prince of Monaco.

Palais Princier de Monaco on Instagram: "DÉPÊCHE OFFICIELLE - Décès de Sa Sainteté le Pape François C’est avec une infinie tristesse et une profonde affliction que nous avons appris le décès de Sa Sainteté le Pape François en ce lundi de Pâques.

1,005 likes, 14 comments - palaisprincierdemonaco on April 21, 2025: "DÉPÊCHE OFFICIELLE - Décès de Sa Sainteté le Pape François C’est avec une infinie tristesse et une profonde affliction que nous avons appris le décès de Sa Sainteté le Pape François en ce lundi de Pâques. Particulièrement...

www.instagram.com

Message from the Prince Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy.


Message from the King Frederik X and Queen Mary of Denmark.

DET DANSKE KONGEHUS 🇩🇰 on Instagram: "Kongeparret har sendt en kondolenceskrivelse til Hans Eminence Kardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dekan for Kardinalkollegiet, i anledning af Hans Hellighed Pave Frans’ død."

3,713 likes, 22 comments - detdanskekongehus on April 21, 2025: "Kongeparret har sendt en kondolenceskrivelse til Hans Eminence Kardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dekan for Kardinalkollegiet, i anledning af Hans Hellighed Pave Frans’ død.".

www.instagram.com

Message from the King Harald V of Norway.

Condolences to the College of Cardinals

Condolences are conveyed from His Majesty King Harald of Norway to Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals.

www.royalcourt.no

The Vatican announced tonight the cause of Pope Francis' death. Pope died due to a stroke and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse.

Pope's death due to stroke and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse - Vatican News

The Director of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of the Vatican City State, Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, releases the official medical report on the ...

www.vaticannews.va

Message from Prince Dom Bertrand de Orleans e Bragança, Head of the Imperial House of Brazil.

Pró Monarquia on Instagram: "Nesta segunda-feira, 21 de abril, o Príncipe Dom Bertrand de Orleans e Bragança, Chefe da Casa Imperial do Brasil, enviou ao Cardeal-Camerlengo da Câmara Apostólica, Kevin Joseph Farrell, mensagem de condolências pelo fal

252 likes, 3 comments - promonarquia on April 21, 2025: "Nesta segunda-feira, 21 de abril, o Príncipe Dom Bertrand de Orleans e Bragança, Chefe da Casa Imperial do Brasil, enviou ao Cardeal-Camerlengo da Câmara Apostólica, Kevin Joseph Farrell, mensagem de condolências pelo falecimento do Papa...

www.instagram.com

 

[Izzie]

Message of Condolences from King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark. The photo included is from when they met with Pope Francis in 2018 while on an official visit to Italy when they were the Crown Prince Couple.

(..)

 

[Elektra]

The Holy See published the Testament of Pope Francis written in June 2022.
He wished to be laid to rest in the Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore.

I ask that my tomb be prepared in the niche in the side aisle between the Pauline Chapel (Chapel of the Salus Populi Romani) and the Sforza Chapel of the aforesaid Papal Basilica as indicated in the enclosed attachment.

The sepulchre is to be in the earth; simple, without particular decoration and with the only inscription: Franciscus.

Testamento del Santo Padre Francesco | Francesco

Testamento del Santo Padre Francesco

www.vatican.va

 

[Hans-Rickard]

As he will not be buried at St Peter i wonder if the funeral Mass will still be there or if it will be at St. Maria Maggiore where he wanted to be buried. I guess Mass at St. Peters and afterwards burial at St. Maria Maggiore

I also expect it will be a Requiem Mass at St Peters Square as it is the only place that can host so many people that probably will show up, followed by a burial at Santa Maria Maggiore… Maybe a car procession from St Peters Basilica to Santa Maria Maggiore if his tomb is ready…

 

[polyesco]

Message of Condolences from King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark. The photo included is from when they met with Pope Francis in 2018 while on an official visit to Italy when they were the Crown Prince Couple.

(..)

It was a lovely visit by the then Crown Prince couple. 7 years ago has gone by fast

 

[lula]

King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, accompanied by Queen Sofia, will visit the Apostolic Nunciature in Spain this Tuesday to sign the book of condolences arranged by the Holy See embassy following the death of Pope Francisco.

Los Reyes firmarán este martes en el libro de condolencias de la Nunciatura por la muerte del Papa

Los Reyes Felipe VI y Letizia, acompañados por la Reina Sofía, acudirán este martes a la Nunciatura Apostólica en España para firmar en el libro de condolencias que ha dispuesto la embajada de la Santa Sede tras el fallecimiento del papa Francisco. Según

www.elimparcial.es

 

[LadyFinn]

Message from Alexander Stubb, the President of the Republic of Finland:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1914249137878429907

 

[Mbruno]

I guess we will find out tomorrow when the vatican press office will communicate the instructions for the lying in state wich will likely begin on Wednesday…

The italian and argentinian presidents are probably given for natural reasons… Don’t know about the others but i would not be surprised if at least the catholic heads of state will attend…

I expect the King of Soain and the King of the Belgians to attend the funeral, but I will wait for an official confirmation. The Grand Duke of Luxembourg and the Sovereign Prince of Monaco are likely to attend too.

 

[Moonmaiden23]

I overslept this morning after over indulging yesterday in all the sweets and rich foods I missed during the Lenten fast.

I woke late intending to see if Francis had given an Urbi et Orbi blessing yesterday and this is the news I saw instead.

RIP Your Holiness.

 

[Somebody]

What does Felipe's role as 'ex officio protocanon of Santa Maria Maggiore's Basilica's chapter' mean in practice? I would guess that would at least guarantee his presence at the funeral - as the pope will be interred in the Basilica.

 

[carlota]

it is rather shocking when one finds that someone who was attending their duties the days before has passed (as it happened with QEII), so i was not expecting this given his recent release from hospital and his involvement lately in the easter celebrations. he also met jd vance yesterday also, albeit briefly, so this comes rather unexpectedly. looking forward to knowing who will be his successor given the number of challenges the world is facing recently.

 

[Adda]

The Vatican announced tonight the cause of Pope Francis' death. Pope died due to a stroke and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse.

Pope's death due to stroke and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse - Vatican News

The Director of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of the Vatican City State, Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, releases the official medical report on the ...

www.vaticannews.va

God knows I was never (and will never be) a fan of Francis, but what a distressing way to die, I hope it was as quick as possible.
Nothing short of a miracle that he managed to "bid farewell" yesterday.

 

[carlota]

God knows I was never (and will never be) a fan of Francis, but what a distressing way to die, I hope it was as quick as possible.
Nothing short of a miracle that he managed to "bid farewell" yesterday.

the link mentions the stroke was followed by a coma, so it is likely he wasn't aware of any pain/discomfort if so. my assumption also is that he likely had medical staff monitoring him closely given he only just got out of hospital and who would give palliative care quite quickly.

 

[Somebody]

Rolandas Mackrickas who was recently (Dec 2024) appointed as cardinal (and coadjutor archpriest of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore - he had been in charge of its administration since 2021) was appointed by the pope to take care of (at least) the financial side of the pope's burial (the costs will be taken care of by an anonymous donor).

Rolandas Makrickas - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Elisabeth-Amalie]

as a catholic im more than heartbroken about his death, and his poor health at the easter mass already made my heart ache. he really was a pope for the people.
i would really like to see the hereditary couple of Liechtenstein (hopefully even Wenzel) as well as Hans-adam at the funeral considering they missed the one from benedict. because theyre extremly catholic.

 

[Moonmaiden23]

the link mentions the stroke was followed by a coma, so it is likely he wasn't aware of any pain/discomfort if so. my assumption also is that he likely had medical staff monitoring him closely given he only just got out of hospital and who would give palliative care quite quickly

the link mentions the stroke was followed by a coma, so it is likely he wasn't aware of any pain/discomfort if so. my assumption also is that he likely had medical staff monitoring him closely given he only just got out of hospital and who would give palliative care quite quickly.

Yes. I am relieved that he was not rushed back to the Gemelli Hospital after falling into a coma.

He was allowed to pass peacefully in his own bed.

 

[Sancia]

I saw the Urbi et Orbi blessing yesterday and I found him very tired, way too weak, but I still can not process the news - and I learned it just after it was announced. I am a Catholic, and I will miss him.

 

[doro]

RIP

 

[Stefan]

I expect the King of Soain and the King of the Belgians to attend the funeral, but I will wait for an official confirmation. The Grand Duke of Luxembourg and the Sovereign Prince of Monaco are likely to attend too.

And from Liechtensteun either the Fürst or the Hereditary Prince

 

[An Ard Ri]

Very sad news from yesterday following the announcement of the Pope's passing

Many media outlets are referring to Pope Francis as the 'Peoples Pope' and I concur with that.

Pope Francis will be buried at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome and not at the Papal crypt in the Vatican.
The late Pope did not want an elaborate funeral and my guess it will be low key.

 

[Jem]

Pope Francis was from Argentina, but his father was Italian and his mother was born to Italian parents, so he was also "European" to a certain extent. Argentina itself is a majoritarily white country.

Pope Francis, however, did appoint a large number of non-European cardinals, which made the College of Cardinals less eurocentric and increases the chance of a Pope from other continents.

It is not a given though. I suppose the position of the prospective candidates on key issues matters more than geography.


Felipe VI, as King of Spain, is ex officio the honorary protocanon of the chapter of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, where I believe Pope Francis chose to be buried.

Can you explain on why he is the ex officio of basilica situated in Rome? Thank you in advance!

 

[An Ard Ri]

Can you explain on why he is the ex officio of basilica situated in Rome? Thank you in advance!

Its an ancient honour that was bestowed on the Spanish Monarchs.
Chapter

 

[iceflower]

Photos of Pope Francis lying in state have been released this morning:

AP PHOTOS: First images of Pope Francis released

VATICAN CITY (AP) — The Vatican releases first images of Pope Francis, showing him in his casket with the Vatican secretary of state praying over him.

apnews.com

El Vaticano publica las primeras fotos del féretro del papa Francisco

El Sumo Pontífice yace en la capilla donde vivió sus últimos años, con la mitra, la casulla roja y el palio blanco

www.hola.com

The funeral will take place on Saturday, April 26, at 10:00 local time.

https://www.reuters.com/world/pope-francis-funeral-be-held-saturday-0800-gmt-vatican-says-2025-04-22/

https://twitter.com/x/status/1914599968242860064

 

[Hans-Rickard]

The Pope’s body will be transfered from the chapel of Domus Sanctae Marthae to St Peters Basilica tomorrow morning at 09.00 local time to lie in state.

The Requiem Mass led by the Dean of the College of Cardinals Giovanni Battista Re, will take place at St Peters Square on Saturday morning at 10.00 local time.

Pope Francis latest updates: Funeral to take place on Saturday as Vatican releases images of open coffin

The pontiff, who was the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, died on Monday aged 88.

www.bbc.com

 

[An Ard Ri]

The Pope’s body will be transfered from the chapel of Domus Sanctae Marthae to St Peters Basilica tomorrow morning at 09.00 local time to lie in state.

The Requiem Mass led by the Dean of the College of Cardinals Giovanni Battista Re, will take place at St Peters Square on Saturday at 10.00 local time.

Pope Francis latest updates: Funeral to take place on Saturday as Vatican releases images of open coffin

The pontiff, who was the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, died on Monday aged 88.

www.bbc.com

I'd expect a large Royal presence at the Funeral along with other heads of State.
President Trump said he will attend ,I think his current wife is Roman Catholic?
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/04/21/trump-to-attend-pope-franciss-funeral-00301655

 

[Jem]

Photos of Pope Francis lying in state have been released this morning:

AP PHOTOS: First images of Pope Francis released

VATICAN CITY (AP) — The Vatican releases first images of Pope Francis, showing him in his casket with the Vatican secretary of state praying over him.

apnews.com

El Vaticano publica las primeras fotos del féretro del papa Francisco

El Sumo Pontífice yace en la capilla donde vivió sus últimos años, con la mitra, la casulla roja y el palio blanco

www.hola.com

The funeral will take place on Saturday, April 26, at 10:00 local time.

https://www.reuters.com/world/pope-francis-funeral-be-held-saturday-0800-gmt-vatican-says-2025-04-22/

The photo is incredibly sad as we usually see him in a more cheerful manner. But, I am also happy that he looks very peaceful. May he rest in peace.

 

[Hans-Rickard]

I'd expect a large Royal presence at the Funeral along with other heads of State.
President Trump said he will attend ,I think his current wife is Roman Catholic?
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/04/21/trump-to-attend-pope-franciss-funeral-00301655

Yes Melania Trump is catholic.

President Macron and President Zelensky is also said to be attending.

I expect a large presence of royal and presidential heads of state, or their representatives.

 

[Alison H]

The President of Argentina's said he'll attend, as would be expected. I don't think there's been any announcement about royals yet, but I'd think that we'd hear later today.

China's finally sent a message of condolence, over 24 hours after the Pope passed away.

 

[Linda_26]

Yes Melania Trump is catholic.

President Macron and President Zelensky is also said to be attending.

I expect a large presence of royal and presidential heads of state, or their representatives.

According to what I'm reading in the Italian media, also the Brazilian president Lula, the President of the European Commision Ursula Von der Leyen and the president of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola have already confirmed their presence. And of course the Italian President and PM.
We'll certainly hear more later today