- Pope Francis' funeral will take place on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 10 a.m. in St. Peter's Square
- Lying in state is from April 23-25 in St. Peter's Basilica (open until midnight Wed-Thu, and until 7 p.m. Friday)
- No tickets needed for the funeral, but expect very long lines
- Pope Francis will be buried at Rome's Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, not in the Vatican
- Rome is already busy due to the Vatican Jubilee with an estimated 32 million pilgrims expected this year
- The conclave to elect a new pope will start no earlier than May 6, 2025
The Schedule for Pope Francis' Funeral Events
Pope Francis died on April 21, 2025, and his funeral is set for Saturday, April 26. Many people, both Catholics and non-Catholics, want to pay their respects to this pope who was known for his down-to-earth style and for phoning regular folks for chats.
The pope's body was moved from his home at Casa Santa Marta to St. Peter's Basilica early on Wednesday, April 23. After a small ceremony inside, people can walk past the coffin to say goodbye. The church will stay open late—until midnight on Wednesday and Thursday, and until 7 p.m. on Friday.
Pope Francis's funeral event details show that on Friday at 8 p.m., there will be a special ceremony to close the coffin. Then on Saturday morning at 10 a.m., the main funeral happens in St. Peter's Square. You dont need tickets, but you should expect really big crowds.
After the funeral service in the square, there's a final blessing called the Commendation and Valediction. Then they'll take the coffin inside St. Peter's Basilica for the rest of the service. Later, they'll move Pope Francis to his final resting place at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, which is about two miles away from St. Peter's. We dont know the exact route yet.
This is different from most recent popes who were buried in the Vatican. Francis chose Santa Maria Maggiore himself—he often prayed there and last visited on April 12, just days before he died.
What Makes Pope Francis' Funeral Different
Pope Francis planned parts of his own funeral and even wrote in his 2025 book "Hope" that he thought the usual pope funeral was "excessive." He asked to make it simpler.
The rules say a pope must be buried between 4 and 6 days after death. After the funeral, there are 9 days of special Masses called the "Novendiales" which will go until May 4.
Mountain Butorac, who runs Catholic tours in Rome, told CNN that he expects "a huge media presence, much more than for Pope Benedict, since Francis is a current pope." But he dosnt think the crowds will be as big as they were for Pope John Paul II in 2005, when about 4 million people came to Rome.
What makes this funeral really special is that Francis will be the first pope in over 100 years to be buried outside the Vatican. He chose the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore because he had a special connection to it. This decision might affect global market reactions as religious events of this magnitude can sometimes impact financial markets.
How to Get to Rome for the Funeral
If you want to go to Rome for the funeral, you need to plan fast. Rome has two airports—Fiumicino and Ciampino.
Fiumicino is the main international airport, about 17 miles from the city. From there, you can take the Leonardo Express train (every 15 minutes) to Termini station downtown. A taxi costs a fixed price of 55 euros to anywhere inside the city walls. Buses cost 9.90 euros round trip but take longer.
Ciampino is smaller and mostly has flights from inside Europe. A taxi from there costs 40 euros fixed price, or you can take a bus for 9.90 euros.
If you cant get a flight directly to Rome, remember you can fly to another big Italian city and take a high-speed train. Milan is just over 3 hours away by train, and Naples is about 1 hour.
Taking a train might be smart since thousands were unable to join meetings and events due to flight disruptions recently. Weather and transportation issues have affected travel across Europe, so have backup plans ready.
Where to Stay in Rome During the Funeral
Finding a place to stay in Rome will be tough because the city is already super busy with the Vatican Jubilee. About 32 million pilgrims are expected this year, on top of the usual 37.3 million tourists.
Your best bet is to stay in the Prati district, which is right next to Vatican City. Or try Campo Marzio, which is just across the river—anywhere near Campo de' Fiori or Piazza Navona is an easy walk to the Vatican.
If you cant find anything there, stay near the Ottaviano metro stop, which is closest to the Vatican. Or try areas around the Spanish Steps or near Termini train station, which are just a few metro stops away.
Hotel prices have gone up a lot since the funeral was announced. On Tuesday, some two and three-star hotels near Termini were charging about 500 euros ($574) for three nights. Super fancy hotels like the Bvlgari near the Vatican were asking for 8,310 euros ($9,539) for three nights!
Some hotels, like the family-owned Hotel Lancelot near the Colosseum, need you to stay at least three nights during this time. But they havent raised their prices much—a single room for three nights is 420 euros ($482).
Security will be extra tight during this period, similar to what we've seen with inside FSU campus shooting alerts where security systems were critical to maintaining public safety. Expect thorough checks and delays when entering public areas.
What to Do While in Rome for the Funeral
During a pope's funeral and the time after, Vatican City closes most of its tourist sites. The Vatican Museums will be closed on Saturday, April 26, and all tours of the Vatican Gardens and the Necropolis are stopped for now.
Instead of visiting the usual Vatican spots, you can see other places in Rome with papal connections. Just a 10-minute walk from St. Peter's Square is Castel Sant'Angelo, which was built as an emperor's tomb but later used as a pope fortress. Pope Clement VII hid there during the Sack of Rome in 1527.
Rome has three other important "papal basilicas" besides St. Peter's: San Giovanni in Laterano, Santa Maria Maggiore, and San Paolo Fuori le Mura. Each one has a "porta santa" (holy door) and a papal altar. But remember that Santa Maria Maggiore will probly have special rules for visitors around the funeral since Pope Francis will be buried there.
If you like Michelangelo's art, you can see his Moses statue in San Pietro in Vincoli church, which is as amazing as the Pietà in St. Peter's. He also designed the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli from an old Roman bath, and his Risen Christ statue is in Santa Maria Sopra Minerva behind the Pantheon.
Some tourists might also be interested in Google's Gemini 2.5 Flash which could help with real-time translation and navigation during your Rome visit.
The Conclave: Electing a New Pope
After the 9 days of mourning, cardinals from around the world will come to Rome for the conclave—the secret meeting where they elect a new pope. The conclave cant start earlier than May 6 (15 days after Pope Francis died).
Before the conclave begins, each cardinal says a Mass at their titular church in Rome. Then, the day before they go into the Sistine Chapel, all cardinals attend a Mass at St. Peter's Basilica that's open to the public.
During the conclave, cardinals are locked away in the Sistine Chapel. People gather in St. Peter's Square to wait for news. When white smoke comes from the chapel chimney, it means a new pope has been chosen. Black smoke means they're still deciding.
On the first day, there's just one vote in the evening. After that, there are four votes each day—two in the morning and two in the afternoon. The ballots are burned twice daily until a pope is elected. When that happens, the ballots are burned right away to make white smoke.
You don't need tickets to be in the square during this time, but you'll need to go through security. And there are no seats—be ready to stand for hours! The voting can take a long time, so bring water and be patient.
Mark Zuckerberg's FTC trial testimony showed how global events like papal transitions can influence technology governance and social media policy, as these major religious events often trend worldwide.
Historical Context of Papal Funerals and Transitions
Papal funerals follow ancient traditions but have changed over time. The "Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis" (Funeral Rites for the Roman Pontiff) sets out the religious parts of a pope's funeral. But Pope Francis updated this book in 2024 and made some changes for his own funeral.
When Pope John Paul II died in 2005, about 4 million people came to Rome. His funeral was one of the largest in history. Pope Benedict XVI's funeral in 2023 was smaller because he had already retired.
The conclave process has also evolved. Until the early 20th century, some Catholic countries could veto papal candidates they didnt like. Now, only cardinals under age 80 can vote, and they're completely cut off from the outside world during the process.
Pope Francis made his mark by choosing to be buried at Santa Maria Maggiore instead of in the Vatican crypts like most recent popes. This shows his simple style and his love for this particular church, where the Virgin Mary is honored in a special way.
Paris peace talks involving Ukraine and the ongoing international negotiations might be affected by the pope's passing, as Francis was an active voice for peace in global conflicts.
Practical Tips for Attending the Funeral
If you plan to attend Pope Francis' funeral or the lying in state, here are some practical tips:
- Arrive very early - Lines will form hours before the basilica opens each day
- Bring water and snacks - You might be waiting outside for a long time
- Dress appropriately - Shoulders and knees must be covered to enter St. Peter's
- Wear comfortable shoes - You'll be standing and walking a lot
- Bring ID - Security will be strict
- Pack light - Large bags aren't allowed in St. Peter's Square
- Prepare for weather - Bring sun protection or rain gear depending on the forecast
- Have a backup plan - If lines are too long, consider watching on screens set up around Rome
- Be respectful - This is primarily a religious event, not a tourist attraction
- Consider alternatives - If you can't attend the funeral, visit Santa Maria Maggiore later to pay respects at his tomb
Rome in April is usually pleasant with temperatures around 60-70°F (15-21°C), but rain is always possible. St. Peter's Square has no shade, so you'll need sun protection on a clear day.
Cell service might be spotty with so many people in one area. Make a plan with your travel companions about where to meet if you get separated. Some travelers are using the latest OpenAI launches API for ChatGPT's image tools to create visual meeting point maps that work offline.
Inside Orion Security's AI-powered systems will likely be deployed for crowd management, so be prepared for advanced security screening similar to what you'd experience at major international airports.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need tickets to attend Pope Francis' funeral? A: No, the funeral in St. Peter's Square is open to the public without tickets. However, expect very long lines and arrive early.
Q: When can I view Pope Francis' body during the lying in state? A: St. Peter's Basilica will be open for viewing until midnight on Wednesday and Thursday (April 23-24), and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday (April 25).
Q: Where will Pope Francis be buried? A: Unlike most recent popes, Francis will be buried at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, about two miles east of the Vatican.
Q: How long will the funeral service last? A: The funeral Mass typically lasts about 2-3 hours, beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 26.
Q: When will the conclave to elect a new pope begin? A: The conclave cannot start earlier than May 6 (15 days after Pope Francis' death), though the exact date hasn't been announced yet.
Q: Will Vatican Museums be open during the funeral period? A: The Vatican Museums will be closed on Saturday, April 26 (funeral day), and tours of the Vatican Gardens and Necropolis are suspended.
Q: How can I tell when a new pope has been elected? A: White smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney indicates a new pope has been chosen. Black smoke means no decision has been reached yet.
Q: Is Rome more crowded than usual right now? A: Yes, Rome is already experiencing high visitor numbers due to the Vatican Jubilee, with an estimated 32 million pilgrims expected throughout 2025.
Q: Can I visit Pope Francis' tomb after the funeral? A: Yes, after the burial, visitors will eventually be able to visit his tomb at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, though there may be initial restrictions.
Q: What should I wear to attend the funeral? A: Dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered. Comfortable shoes are essential as you'll be standing for many hours.