The funeral of the late Catholic spiritual leader, Pope Francis, will take place today, Saturday (April 26), at the Vatican. Prominent world leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, have arrived at the Vatican to pay their final respects. Among them is Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government.
The funeral ceremony is scheduled to begin at 10:00 AM local time (3:00 PM Bangladesh time) in front of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.
As per Pope Francis’ wishes, his body will be placed inside a coffin made of wood and zinc, and carried inside the church. Following the ceremony, his remains will be transported to the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome for burial.
Numerous heads of state, royalty, and religious leaders are attending the funeral. U.S. President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron were among the first to confirm their attendance. Other notable attendees include European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and Prince William of the United Kingdom. Argentine President Javier Milei will also be present.
While en route to the Vatican aboard Air Force One, President Trump spoke to reporters about his respect for Pope Francis.
Dr. Muhammad Yunus traveled from Qatar to Italy to attend the funeral. His flight landed in Rome at approximately 6:20 PM Bangladesh time on Friday. Shortly after, around 7:15 PM, he paid tribute to Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Square.
The funeral Mass will be led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, and will be attended by cardinals, archbishops, bishops, and priests from around the world. Following the funeral, a nine-day mourning period, known as the “Novemdiales,” will commence, honoring the late Pope’s soul.
Selection of the New Pope
Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, passed away on Monday (April 21) at the age of 88. He had been suffering from respiratory illnesses for an extended period. His condition worsened following hospitalization in February for bronchitis, eventually requiring ventilator support due to pneumonia.
The global community has expressed profound grief over his passing. Bangladesh also declared three days of national mourning in his honor.
Meanwhile, a conclave of cardinals has already convened to initiate the process of electing the new pope. According to tradition, a new pontiff must be elected within three weeks.