Vatican City – April 22, 2025

The Vatican on Tuesday released the first official photographs and video footage of Pope Francis lying in state, offering a solemn and poignant glimpse of the late Pontiff as the Catholic Church begins a historic week of mourning and remembrance.

The images, published by Vatican Media, show Pope Francis resting in an open casket at the Domus Sanctae Marthae chapel, the papal residence where he lived throughout his pontificate. Dressed in red liturgical vestments symbolizing martyrdom and sacrifice, with a white mitre placed on his head and a rosary in his hands, the late Pope is surrounded by an honor guard of Swiss Guards, cardinals, and Vatican officials paying their final respects.

One of the photos captures Cardinal Kevin Farrell offering a blessing over the Pontiff’s body, ahead of its transfer to St. Peter’s Basilica, where public veneration will begin in the lead-up to the funeral.

The Holy See Press Office confirmed that Pope Francis’ funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. in St. Peter’s Square. The ceremony will be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, and concelebrated by Patriarchs, Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, and priests from across the globe.

According to the Vatican, the funeral will conclude with the traditional Ultima Commendatio and Valedictio rites, after which the late Pontiff’s body will be taken into St. Peter’s Basilica before proceeding to the Basilica of St. Mary Major for final entombment—one of Rome’s oldest and most revered Marian shrines.

Ahead of the funeral, the Pope’s coffin will be ceremonially transported from the Casa Santa Marta chapel to St. Peter’s Basilica, where thousands of faithful are expected to pay tribute.

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, died last week at the age of 88, bringing to a close a transformative papacy marked by humility, reform, and outspoken advocacy for social justice and the environment. He was the first Pope from the Americas and the first Jesuit to hold the office.

As preparations continue, global dignitaries, religious leaders, and heads of state are expected to converge on the Vatican for what will be one of the most significant ecclesiastical events in recent memory.

World leaders including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife have confirmed attendance, with more official delegations expected to be announced in the coming days.