The Vatican has officially announced the date of the farewell ceremony for Pope Francis, which will be a significant event for millions of believers and the global community
According to information received from the Holy See's press service, the pope's funeral is scheduled for Saturday, April 26. This important religious and diplomatic event will bring dozens of world leaders and high-ranking guests to St. Peter's Square. According to preliminary plans, the ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. local time on the main square of the Vatican. A memorial Mass will be held, led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re — one of the most respected spiritual figures among the closest allies of the late Pope. After the liturgy, the coffin with Francis’s body will be transferred to St. Peter's Basilica for additional farewell ceremonies, and later, on the day before the burial, it will be taken to Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica, where it will serve as the final resting place of the pontiff. This official announcement marked a logical conclusion to a prolonged period of anticipation and preparation for this historic event. It is recalled that 88-year-old Pope Francis passed away on April 21 at 7:35 a.m. in his residence within the Vatican. According to the official version, the cause of death was a stroke that occurred the day before. His death was a profound blow to the Catholic Church and the world community, which received the loss of this talented spiritual leader with deep sorrow. Immediately after the announcement of the pontiff’s death, numerous statements and messages about participating in the farewell ceremonies were issued worldwide. Notably, leaders of countries such as the United States and Ukraine announced their intention to attend. U.S. President Donald Trump mentioned that his visit would be his first foreign trip during his second presidential term, highlighting the special significance of this event in the international context. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and representatives of other nations also expressed their greetings and intentions to participate, as Francis’s death has become not only a religious event but also a large-scale diplomatic occasion. Given the high importance of the event, the Vatican imposed certain restrictions: during the preparations for the funeral, all flights over Rome were prohibited to prevent any unforeseen incidents and ensure the safety of participants and guests. This underscores the scale and significance of the event, which is drawing worldwide attention and will be one of the main ceremonies in the global religious and diplomatic arena this year.