Pope Francis’ wake draws thousands in historic ceremony at St. Peter’s Basilica until April 25

St. Peter’s Basilica, in the heart of the Vatican, opened its doors on the morning of Wednesday, April 23, to begin the public wake of Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday at the age of 88 due to a stroke and heart failure. Known for his humility and closeness to the faithful, the pontiff left a legacy that resonates worldwide, and his farewell is expected to draw thousands from across the globe. The procession that carried his coffin from Casa Santa Marta to the basilica was marked by hymns, prayers, and a reverent silence, as cardinals, clergy, and laypeople accompanied the route. The funeral is scheduled for Saturday, April 26, with burial to follow at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, as per Francis’ wishes.

The wake, which continues until Friday, April 25, holds deep significance for the Catholic Church. The pope’s body, dressed in a white cassock, red chasuble, white mitre, and pallium, rests in a simple wooden coffin lined with zinc, reflecting his instructions to avoid ostentation. This choice underscores the essence of his papacy, defined by humility and a focus on pastoral care rather than grandeur. World leaders, including Presidents Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Emmanuel Macron, and Donald Trump, are expected to attend the funeral, while pilgrims from around the world have already formed long lines to pay their final respects.

Since early morning, St. Peter’s Square has been filled with a crowd awaiting access to the basilica. The Swiss Guard, responsible for Vatican security, has managed the flow of visitors, while Italian police have strengthened safety measures in the area. The transfer ceremony, led by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the camerlengo of the Catholic Church, was broadcast live by Vatican News, allowing millions to follow the event remotely. The public wake is the first step in a series of rituals culminating in the pontiff’s burial, followed by the conclave to elect his successor.

Wake and funeral schedule

The Vatican released detailed timings for the public visitation of Francis’ coffin, ensuring the faithful have the opportunity to say goodbye. Below is the schedule:

• Wednesday, April 23: 11 a.m. to midnight (6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Brasília time).
• Thursday, April 24: 7 a.m. to midnight (2 a.m. to 7 p.m. Brasília time).
• Friday, April 25: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (2 a.m. to 2 p.m. Brasília time).
• Saturday, April 26: Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. (5 a.m. Brasília time), followed by transfer to Santa Maria Maggiore for burial.

Simplicity defines the pontiff’s farewell

Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, always championed simplicity as a cornerstone of his leadership. During his 12-year papacy, he rejected symbols of power, such as residing in the Apostolic Palace, choosing instead to live in Casa Santa Marta. This preference is mirrored in his funeral rites, which he revised in 2024 through the updated Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis. The document introduced significant changes, eliminating traditions like the use of three coffins—cypress, lead, and oak—and the display of the body on an elevated platform, or catafalco.

The simple coffin, placed directly on the floor of St. Peter’s Basilica, embodies Francis’ vision of a papacy closer to the people and less tied to grandeur. Inside the coffin, a bag of coins minted during his pontificate and a tube containing the rogito, a document detailing his life and achievements, were placed. A white silk veil will cover his face before burial, preserving an ancient tradition but without the more elaborate elements of past ceremonies.

The choice of Santa Maria Maggiore as his burial site also reflects his spirituality. Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the basilica was a frequent place of prayer for Francis, who visited it before and after international trips. His decision to be buried outside the Vatican, a practice not seen since 1903 when Pope Leo XIII was laid to rest in St. John Lateran, underscores the unique nature of his papacy. The tomb will be simple, inscribed with “Franciscus,” as stipulated in his will.

A papacy of reform and challenges

Francis’ papacy was among the most transformative in recent decades. Elected in 2013 following Benedict XVI’s resignation, the Argentine became the first Latin American and Jesuit pope in history. His leadership focused on reforming the Roman Curia, addressing social inequalities, and fostering interfaith dialogue. He also faced significant challenges, including financial scandals in the Vatican and polarization within the Church over issues like the role of women and inclusion of minorities.

Among his notable actions was the 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’, which placed environmental protection at the heart of Catholic teaching, framing it as a moral duty. Francis undertook historic trips, such as his 2015 visit to Cuba and the United States, and held meetings with leaders of other faiths, including the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar in Egypt. In Brazil, his participation in the 2013 World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro left a lasting impact, drawing millions to Copacabana Beach.

Despite his popularity, Francis faced criticism from conservative factions within the Church, who accused him of diluting traditional doctrines. His health, weakened in recent years, was also a concern. Hospitalized for 37 days between February and March 2025 for double pneumonia, he made his final public appearance on Easter Sunday, April 20, blessing the faithful from a wheelchair in St. Peter’s Square.

Details of the procession and wake organization

The procession marking the start of the wake was a deeply emotional moment. At 9 a.m. local time (4 a.m. Brasília time), the coffin left Casa Santa Marta, where Francis resided throughout his papacy. The route passed through Santa Marta Square, the Square of the Roman Protomartyrs, and the Arch of the Bells before reaching St. Peter’s Square. Clergy chanted psalms and hymns in Latin, while pilgrims applauded and prayed.

Inside St. Peter’s Basilica, Cardinal Kevin Farrell led the Liturgy of the Word, which included sprinkling holy water and burning incense. After the initial ceremony, small groups, including clergy and Vatican staff, were allowed to approach the coffin for a private farewell. Public visitation began at 11 a.m., with lines stretching for kilometers around St. Peter’s Square.

The event’s organization involved coordination between the Vatican and Italian authorities. Metal detectors were installed at basilica entrances, and police bolstered security to protect visitors. An estimated 20,000 people attended the procession, with visitor numbers expected to grow over the three-day wake, based on precedents like Pope John Paul II’s funeral, which drew about 2 million people.

World leaders at the funeral

The funeral, set for Saturday, April 26, at 10 a.m. local time (5 a.m. Brasília time), will be a global event. The Funeral Mass, presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, will take place in St. Peter’s Square and be open to the public. World leaders have confirmed their attendance, highlighting Francis’ international significance.

Among those expected are:

• Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, president of Brazil, who shared a close relationship with Francis, particularly on social justice and environmental issues.
• Javier Milei, president of Argentina, who, despite past differences, praised the pontiff’s wisdom.
• Emmanuel Macron, president of France, representing the country’s Catholic heritage.
• Donald Trump, president of the United States, whose attendance underscores the event’s diplomatic weight.
• Volodymyr Zelensky, president of Ukraine, who met Francis to discuss peace efforts.

Notably absent will be Russian President Vladimir Putin, who, according to the Kremlin, has no plans to attend. The presence of leaders from diverse political and religious backgrounds highlights Francis’ role as a unifying figure, capable of bridging cultural and ideological divides.

Global impact of Francis’ passing

The death of Francis has sparked a wave of tributes worldwide. In his native Argentina, the Argentine Football Association shared a video celebrating his love for soccer and support for San Lorenzo de Almagro. In Portugal, Lisbon’s City Council approved naming Tejo Park as Pope Francis Park, while Madeira’s Legislative Assembly held a minute of silence.

In Brazil, the faithful gathered in cathedrals and shrines, such as Our Lady of Aparecida, for memorial masses. In Rome, pilgrims from countries like Mexico, the Philippines, and Poland turned St. Peter’s Square into a mosaic of cultures, waving their nations’ flags. Media coverage, with live broadcasts on channels like Vatican News, has amplified the event’s reach, enabling millions to follow the ceremonies.

The Catholic Church, now in a period of Sede Vacante, is preparing for the conclave, set to begin within 15 to 20 days of Francis’ death. With 135 cardinal electors, 80% of whom were appointed by Francis, the next pope’s election will reflect his legacy. The process, held in the Sistine Chapel, requires a two-thirds majority and may last days until a new pontiff is announced with the traditional phrase: Habemus Papam.

Funeral rites and mourning period

Francis’ funeral rites blend ancient traditions with changes he introduced. After his death was confirmed by Cardinal Kevin Farrell at Casa Santa Marta, the Ring of the Fisherman, a symbol of the papacy, was destroyed, marking the end of his pontificate. The body was embalmed to withstand public exposure, and the Casa Santa Marta chapel was sealed.

The mourning period, known as novendiali, lasts nine days after the Funeral Mass. During this time, masses for Francis’ soul will be held worldwide. In Rome’s St. John Lateran Basilica, a special mass is scheduled for Wednesday at 7 p.m. local time (2 p.m. Brasília time), led by Cardinal Baldo Reina.

The burial, set for Saturday, will be a moment of simplicity. At Santa Maria Maggiore, Cardinal Farrell will preside over the rite of interment, which includes the singing of Salve Regina. The tomb will remain accessible to pilgrims, fulfilling Francis’ wish to stay close to the people even in death.

Francis’ legacy for the Church and the world

Francis left an indelible mark on the Catholic Church and global society. His advocacy for the poor, migrants, and the environment resonated in a world marked by inequality and conflict. He challenged conventions, such as washing the feet of prisoners and refugees or apologizing for the Church’s failures in abuse cases.

His emphasis on mercy, exemplified by the 2015 Extraordinary Jubilee, inspired millions to rethink their faith. His calls for peace, including pleas to end conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, reinforced his role as a moral voice in times of crisis. Despite internal resistance, Francis appointed cardinals from peripheral regions, like Mongolia and Haiti, diversifying the College of Cardinals.

His influence extended to popular culture. His image, often tied to simple gestures like carrying his own bag or driving a modest car, made him an icon of humility. In Brazil, his 2013 visit to Rio’s Varginha favela was a milestone, highlighting his focus on the marginalized.

Preparations for the conclave

As the world mourns Francis, the Vatican is organizing the next steps. The conclave, gathering cardinal electors in the Sistine Chapel, is a process steeped in secrecy and tradition. The cardinals, housed in special accommodations, will vote until a two-thirds majority elects the new pope. The process may take days, with pauses for prayer in case of a deadlock.

The choice of successor will be shaped by Francis’ legacy, as he appointed most electors. Potential candidates include Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, and Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines, known for his pastoral approach. However, papal elections are unpredictable, as Francis’ own election in 2013 demonstrated.

The white smoke, signaling a new pope, will be eagerly awaited. When it appears, the Habemus Papam announcement will echo from St. Peter’s Basilica’s balcony, marking the start of a new chapter for the Catholic Church. Until then, the world remains united in mourning and reflection, celebrating the life and legacy of a pope who transformed the Church with his simplicity and courage.