The mourners will say final farewell to Pope Francis during the funeral mass on Saturday. His funeral Mass is expected to attract international leaders as well as cardigans, archbishops and priests around the world. The ritual is broadcast by news networks around the world.
The funeral was marked by his body in the Pope’s clothing in the province of St. Peter’s Cathedral.
Here’s what you need to know.
Where can I see the funeral?
The funeral will be held at 10am on Saturday (4am in Eastern) at 10am in St. Peter’s Square, the Vatican announced.
The New York Times plans to stream funerals on Saturday as part of live coverage, with many US television networks, including NBC, CBS, CNN and ABC, planning to broadcast them as well. International broadcasters such as the BBC in the UK will also cover funerals.
The funeral will also be aired on the Vatican news channel on YouTube, which streams many rituals.
Where can I see funerals internationally?
In Canada, major networks such as CBC TV and CTV across the country are expected to provide services. In the UK, news networks including Sky News and the BBC are also expected to broadcast funerals.
In Brazil, there are Globo News and CNN Brasil. Also, in Spain, viewers should be able to catch the service on Televisión Española on news channel 24 Horas.
What happens at the funeral?
Pope Francis’ funeral continues ceremonies from centuries ago.
A public funeral mass will be held in front of St. Peter’s Cathedral on Saturday, with the main side of Cardinal Giovanni Batista, dean of Cardinals University.
Funerals are more modest than past Pope rituals. Last year, Pope Francis simplified the rules regarding papal funerals, with changes that include using only one wooden ffin instead of three.
After the Mass, Francis’ body will be buried in the Pope Cathedral of Santa Maria Magiore, Rome, where the seven other Popes are buried.
Francis wrote that at his will he wanted “a final earthly journey that ends at this very ancient Marian shrine.” He requested a simple, unadorned tomb with only the inscription “Franciscus,” the Vatican said.
The Roman church holds a special mass in memory of Francis for nine days of the funeral.
Who is going to be attending?
World leaders and Catholic worshipers from around the world will attend funerals. Probable attendees include President Trump, British Prime Minister Kiel Starmer, Ukraine President Volodymie Zelensky, Argentina President Javier Miley and Brazil’s President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva, the world’s largest Catholic nation.
Johnny Diaz contributed to the report.
