Pope Francis Funeral News Updates: Pope Francis' mortal remains to lie in State at St Peter's Basilica tomorrow; funeral set for Saturday

Pope Francis Funeral News Updates: Prayers and a procession, all about tomorrow

The Vatican has announced that Pope Francis’ mortal remains will be transferred to St Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday. Here’s a closer look at what is expected throughout the day tomorrow:

• The coffin carrying the Pope will be taken from Casa Santa Martato St Peter's Basilica at 09:00 local time (08:00 BST)
• Cardinal Kevin Farrell will lead a prayer before the body is moved
• A procession will pass through the Piazza Santa Marta and Piazza dei Protomartiri Romani before entering St Peter's Basilica
• Cardinal Farrell will preside over the Liturgy of the Word, which is made up of mostly readings from the Bible
• The Pope's coffin will remain there for the public to pay their respects until his funeral on Saturday

Pope Francis Funeral News Updates: Vatican and Rome to hold evening Rosary prayers honouring Pope Francis

A special rosary prayer will take place today at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican at 19:30 local time (18:30 BST, 17:30 GMT) in remembrance of Pope Francis.

Later in the evening, another prayer service will be held at 21:00 local time (20:00 BST, 19:00 GMT) at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome. This service will be led by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, as part of the ongoing tributes to the late pontiff.

Pope Francis Funeral News Updates: UK PM Starmer and Spanish royals to attend funeral

Spain's King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia will travel to the Vatican to attend the funeral of Pope Francis. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will also be present at the ceremony, his office confirmed on Tuesday. While Starmer is expected to address the media later in the day, it remains unclear whether King Charles III will also attend the funeral.

Pope Francis Funeral News Updates: Cardinals suspend upcoming beatifications until new Pope is elected

The College of Cardinals has announced the suspension of all upcoming beatifications until a new pope is elected. This decision was made during their first meeting following the death of Pope Francis.

The Vatican had already postponed the canonization of Carlo Acutis, the first millennial saint, scheduled for Sunday. This move aligns with Vatican rules for the interregnum period, during which most top Vatican officials lose their positions until a new pope is elected.

Pope Francis Funeral News Updates: Italy declares five days of National Mourning following Pope Francis' death

Italy's government announced on Tuesday a five-day period of national mourning following the death of Pope Francis, surpassing the three days of mourning observed for Pope John Paul II in 2005.

The mourning period will continue until Saturday, the day of the 88-year-old Pope’s funeral, which will take place outside St Peter’s Basilica. Civil Protection Minister Nello Musumeci confirmed the decision after a cabinet meeting.

Pope Francis Funeral News Updates: Polish President declares Saturday as day of National mourning

Polish President Andrzej Duda and First Lady Agata Kornhauser-Duda will be present at Pope Francis' funeral on Saturday, according to an official statement from his office.

Wojciech Kolarski, who heads the president's international policy department, announced via social media that President Duda has declared Saturday a National Day of Mourning in tribute to the late pontiff.

Pope Francis Funeral News Updates: Global leaders confirm attendance at Pope Francis' funeral

World leaders from various countries have confirmed their attendance at the funeral of Pope Francis, scheduled for Saturday in Saint Peter's Square. Among those attending are:

• United States: President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump
• Argentina: President Javier Milei
• Belgium: King Philippe and Queen Mathilde
• Brazil: President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and First Lady Janja Lula da Silva
• European Commission: President Ursula von der Leyen
• East Timor: President Jose Ramos-Horta and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Bendito Freitas
• France: President Emmanuel Macron
• Germany: President Frank-Walter Steinmeier
• Italy: President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni
• Latvia: President Edgars Rinkevics
• Lithuania: President Gitanas Nauseda
• Romania: Interim President Ilie Bolojan
• Switzerland: President Karin Keller-Sutter
• Ukraine: President Volodymyr Zelenskiy

Pope Francis Funeral News Updates: EU Chief von der Leyen to attend Pope's funeral

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will attend the funeral of Pope Francis, Brussels confirmed on Tuesday. The ceremony, scheduled for Saturday at St Peter’s Square, will see global dignitaries paying their respects to the late pontiff, who passed away on Monday at the age of 88.

Pope Francis Funeral News Updates: Putin not expected to attend Pope Francis's funeral, says Kremlin

​Russian President Vladimir Putin does not plan to attend Pope Francis's funeral, according to a Kremlin spokesperson. While the Kremlin has not provided a specific reason for his absence, it has confirmed that Putin will not be present at the ceremony. Despite this, Putin has expressed his condolences, acknowledging the Pope's efforts to bridge ties between the Orthodox and Catholic churches. ​

Pope Francis Funeral News Updates: France's President Emmanuel Macron to attend Pope Francis's funeral

French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed on Tuesday that he will attend the funeral of Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday at the age of 88. Speaking to reporters, Macron stated, "We will attend the pope's funeral as we should." The Vatican is yet to announce the official date for the funeral ceremony.

Pope Francis Funeral News Updates: Zelensky to attend Pope Francis's funeral

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to attend the funeral of Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday at the age of 88, a source from the presidential office told AFP on Tuesday.

"The office of the president is awaiting the date of the Pope's burial and preparing the president's visit to Rome to bid farewell to the pontiff," the source confirmed, indicating that preparations are underway for Zelensky’s official visit to pay his respects.

Pope Francis Funeral News Updates: Vatican releases first images and video of Pope Francis' mortal remains in an open casket

On Tuesday, the Vatican shared the first images and video of Pope Francis lying in repose, offering a solemn glimpse of the late pontiff in an open coffin. Dressed in traditional red liturgical robes, with a mitre on his head and a rosary gently placed in his hands, the Pope was seen resting peacefully.

The photos and video were taken inside the private chapel of Casa Santa Marta, his residence within the Vatican, where he passed away on Monday at the age of 88. The quiet setting reflected the dignity and simplicity with which he lived his final days.

 

Pope Francis Funeral News Updates: Pope’s coffin to be transferred to St Peter’s on Wednesday

The Vatican has announced that the coffin of Pope Francis will be transferred to St Peter's Basilica on Wednesday morning at 9:00 am (0700 GMT).

The solemn procession will begin from the chapel of the Santa Marta residence, where the late pontiff lived and passed away at the age of 88. Cardinals will accompany the transfer ahead of the official lying-in-state, allowing the faithful to pay their final respects.