The Vatican has announced that Pope Francis’s funeral will take place on Saturday at 10:00 local time (08:00 GMT) in front of St Peter’s Basilica. The date was decided after cardinals met to discuss the funeral’s timing.

Body to Lie in State
Ahead of the funeral, Pope Francis’s body will lie in an open casket in St Peter’s Basilica from Wednesday morning, allowing mourners to pay their respects. The body will be transferred from Santa Marta to St Peter’s basilica in a procession led by Cardinal Kevin Farrell.

Funeral Service Details
The funeral service will be led by the dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re. Patriarchs, cardinals, archbishops, bishops, and priests from around the world will attend. The service will end with the final commendation and valediction, marking the beginning of nine days of mourning.

Burial at St Mary Major Basilica
Pope Francis had requested to be buried at St Mary Major basilica in Rome, rather than in the crypt of St Peter’s basilica. He will be laid to rest in a single wooden casket, as per his wishes.

Global Tributes
Tributes have poured in from around the world following Pope Francis’s death on Easter Monday. Heads of state and royalty, including US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron, are expected to attend the funeral.