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Pope Francis Dies at 88; World Leaders to Attend Saturday Funeral at St. Peter’s Square
Pope Francis has passed away at 88. His funeral will be held this Saturday in St. Peter’s Square. World leaders to attend as Church prepares for conclave.
ND
by News Desk
2025-04-22
Pope Francis Dies at 88; World Leaders to Attend Saturday Funeral at St. Peter’s Square

Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff and a transformative figure in the Catholic Church, passed away on Monday at the age of 88 following a stroke and cardiac arrest. The Vatican has announced that his funeral will take place on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. in St. Peter’s Square and will be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re.

The late pontiff had been recovering from a bout of double pneumonia earlier this year, but his health took a sudden downturn in the early hours of Monday. According to the Vatican, Francis became unwell around 5:30 a.m. and, after making a final gesture of farewell to his nurse, slipped into a coma. He was declared dead at 7:35 a.m.

Photographs released by the Vatican show Francis in his papal vestments, lying in repose within a wooden coffin at the chapel of the Santa Marta residence, where he resided throughout his 12-year papacy. His body will be transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday morning to allow the public to pay their final respects.

Dignitaries from across the globe are expected to attend the funeral. U.S. President Donald Trump, Argentine President Javier Milei, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are among those who have confirmed their presence.

In a notable break from tradition, Francis requested to be buried in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major instead of St. Peter’s Basilica, where many previous popes have been laid to rest.

The Church has already begun the age-old rituals that follow the death of a pope, including the ceremonial destruction of the "Fisherman's Ring" and papal seal, to signify the end of his authority. Cardinals in Rome have convened to plan the funeral and manage the interim leadership of the Church.

A conclave to elect a new pope is expected to begin between May 6 and May 10, with 135 cardinal electors eligible to participate. Although Francis appointed nearly 80% of the electors—many from remote or rapidly growing Catholic communities—there is no clear successor at this stage.

Pope Francis’ tenure was marked by a firm commitment to the poor, efforts to modernize the Church, and bold confrontations with internal corruption and child abuse scandals. He was often criticized by conservatives for being too progressive and inclusive, particularly toward marginalized groups.

With his passing, the Catholic Church enters a new chapter—one that will likely be shaped by the legacy of a pope who sought to open the Church’s doors wider than ever before.

 
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