Pope Francis' funeral due on Saturday: What you need to know

The body of the late Pope Francis will be laid in state at St. Peter’s Basilica, in Vatican City from Wednesday, April 23, until his funeral mass on Saturday, April 26, as the world prepares to bid farewell to the Pontiff who died on Easter Monday. ALSO READ: Kagame pays tribute to Pope Francis The solemn rites will begin on Wednesday morning at 9:00 AM. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, will preside at the funeral Mass, which will be concelebrated by Patriarchs, Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, and priests from across the globe, according to the Holy See Press Office. The procession will pass through Santa Marta Square and the Square of the Roman Protomartyrs, and will then exit through the Arch of the Bells into St. Peter’s Square and enter the Vatican Basilica through the central door, according to the Holy See Press Office. ALSO READ: Pope Francis dies on Easter Monday aged 88 Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, presided over the rite of translation, leading the Liturgy of the Word at the Altar of the Confession. Following the liturgical service, the faithful were invited to pay their respects as the Pope's body lay in state. ALSO READ: In a first, Cardinal Kambanda to be part of conclave that will elect the next Pope The funeral mass will be held on Saturday, April 26 at 10:00 AM, presided over by Cardinal Battista Re. The mass will be concelebrated by a host of religious leaders, including Patriarchs, Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, and priests from around the world, as a reflection of Pope Francis’ far-reaching impact and global ministry. The Mass will conclude with the traditional Ultima commendatio and Valedictio, the prayers commending the Pope’s soul to God and bidding him farewell. This will also mark the beginning of the Novemdiales, nine days of mourning and masses for the repose of the late Pontiff’s soul. ALSO READ: Cardinal Kambanda mourns Pope Francis, urges continuation of his mission According to Vatican News, Pope Francis, who died aged 88, will be entombed at the Basilica of St. Mary. According to his spiritual testament dated June 29, 2022, Pope Francis expressed his wish to be buried in the earth, simple, without particular decoration, with only his papal name Franciscus inscribed in Latin. As crowds gather in Vatican City and across the globe to honour his memory, Pope Francis will be remembered as the 266th successor of St. Peter.