Livestream: Farewell ceremony and interment of Pope Francis

Pope Francis to be Buried at Basilica of Saint Mary Major

Pope Francis, who passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88, will be the first pope in over a century to be buried outside the Vatican. His final wish for his earthly journey was to conclude at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, as stated in his testament.

The pontiff's funeral is scheduled for Saturday, April 26, in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican. World leaders, dignitaries, and tens of thousands of Catholic faithful are expected to attend the funeral. The burial will follow at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, deviating from the tradition of popes being buried at Saint Peter's Basilica.

Pope Francis' choice to be buried at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major was a departure from the long-standing tradition. He had expressed a wish for a "simple" tomb with the inscription "Franciscus."

Since records began, no pope has been buried at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major. The last pope to be buried outside the Vatican was Leo XIII in 1903.

The burial ceremony at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major is set to be a historic event. Likely attending government leaders at the funeral in the holy site on April 26, 2025, include Germany's President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Austria's President Alexander Van der Bellen and Chancellor Christian Stocker, Switzerland's President Karin Keller-Sutter, Luxembourg's Grand Duke Henri, the British royal family represented by Prince William, Spain's King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Argentina's President Javier Milei, France's President Emmanuel Macron, the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, the United States Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden, and the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

The funeral and burial of Pope Francis can be watched live on our website.com.