Pope Francis funeral timeline: Coffin sealed Friday, farewell Saturday, public tomb opens Sunday

Timeline of Pope Francis funeral

The coffin of Pope Francis will be sealed during a liturgical rite at on Friday, April 25, at 8:00 PM, as the Vatican prepares for the final farewell to the late pontiff.

Pope Francis passed away on April 21 following a prolonged period of health complications. His body was brought into St. Peter’s Basilica, where it has been lying in state since Wednesday.

According to the Vatican, over 61,000 mourners have already visited to pay their final respects to the Argentine-born pope, who led the Roman Catholic Church through a decade marked by reform, compassion, and global outreach.

The sealing of the coffin will precede his funeral, expected to draw world leaders, clergy, and thousands of faithful from across the globe.

Pope Francis' tomb opens to public Sunday morning

The public will be able to visit the tomb of Pope Francis at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore starting Sunday morning, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni announced.

The funeral for the late pontiff, who passed away on Monday at the age of 88, will be held earlier that day at St. Peter’s Basilica. Following the ceremony, his coffin will be transferred to Santa Maria Maggiore, one of Rome’s most significant basilicas, where he will be laid to rest.

Pope Francis's funeral is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. local time (4 a.m. ET) on April 26, six days after his passing.

(With agency inputs)