The Vatican has officially announced that the funeral of Pope Francis will take place on Saturday, April 26, at 10:00 local time (09:00 BST).
The solemn ceremony is expected to draw global attention, with world leaders, dignitaries, and thousands of faithful anticipated to attend. In a brief statement, the Holy See confirmed the date and time, adding that further details regarding the funeral rites, guest list, and logistical arrangements will be communicated in the coming days.
Papal funerals, traditionally held in St. Peter’s Square, are steeped in centuries-old rituals and prayers, drawing pilgrims from across the world to bid farewell to the head of the Catholic Church.
As the world prepares to pay its final respects, all eyes now turn to Rome, where the faithful and global community will gather to honor a pope who helped shape a transformative chapter in the Church’s history.
From Poland, President Andrzej Duda and First Lady Agata Kornhauser-Duda will attend the funeral. In addition, President Duda has declared Saturday a day of national mourning, a gesture underscoring the late pontiff’s global influence and the deep ties between Poland and the Catholic Church. His international policy advisor, Wojciech Kolarski, shared the decision via a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has also confirmed that he will travel to the Vatican to honour Pope Francis, who maintained a notable connection with Latin America throughout his papacy.
