Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Catholic Church and a voice for the poor, will be honoured on April 26, 2025, with a funeral expected to draw world leaders and tens of thousands of faithful.
The Argentine pontiff, who passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, spent 12 years leading efforts to create a more welcoming and open-minded Church. His leadership style, focused on compassion and inclusivity, won him widespread admiration both inside and outside the Catholic community.
Since his death, emotional tributes have poured in from around the world. Over 250,000 people have visited his coffin at St Peter’s Basilica to pay their final respects. His passing marks the end of a significant era in the Catholic Church, and his legacy as a champion of the poor and marginalized remains strong.
Pope Francis’s final resting place will be the historic Santa Maria Maggiore basilica in Rome. This choice holds special meaning, as he had a deep personal devotion to the Virgin Mary and often visited the basilica before and after his international trips. Santa Maria Maggiore, one of the oldest and most important churches dedicated to Mary, will now be the site where one of the most influential modern popes is laid to rest.
Preparations for the funeral are underway at St Peter’s Square, where a Swiss Guard was seen standing near the arranged chairs. The ceremony is expected to attract dignitaries from across the globe, reflecting Pope Francis’s wide-reaching influence during his papacy.
His time as pope saw major efforts to shift the Church’s stance on various social issues, promote interfaith dialogue, and bring attention to global poverty and climate change. Despite facing challenges and resistance, he remained steadfast in his mission to modernize the Church's approach to today’s world.
As the Catholic Church prepares to say farewell, many will remember Pope Francis not only for his reforms but also for his humility, warmth, and dedication to serving those most in need. His burial at Santa Maria Maggiore ensures that his memory will live on at a place that symbolizes much of what he stood for.
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