The Vatican has officially announced that the funeral of the Pope will be held on Saturday, 26 April at 10:00 local time (09:00 BST).
The ceremony is expected to draw global attention, with world leaders, dignitaries, and thousands of faithful expected to attend the solemn occasion.
The Holy See confirmed the date and time in a brief statement, noting that further details regarding the funeral rites, attendees, and preparations will be shared in due course.
Traditionally held in St. Peter’s Square, papal funerals are marked by a series of ancient rites and prayers, drawing pilgrims from across the world to pay their final respects to the spiritual leader of the Catholic Church.
The world now turns its eyes to Rome, where the faithful, dignitaries, and ordinary citizens alike are expected to gather in remembrance of a pope who marked a transformative era for the Catholic Church.
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.