Pope Francis’s funeral is set to draw hundreds of thousands of mourners and dignitaries to the Vatican on Saturday. The ceremony, which will be simpler than previous papal funerals, reflects the late pope’s humility and desire for a more understated approach.
US President Donald Trump and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres are among the prominent figures attending the ceremony, alongside Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and a delegation from China. In contrast, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has declined to attend.
The funeral will be held in various languages, including Latin, Italian, Spanish, English, Arabic, Polish, and Chinese. The Rite of Burial for Roman Pontiffs has been simplified, with the late pope to be buried in a single coffin instead of three used by previous popes. Grander titles such as “Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church” will not be used.
According to Catholic Church historian Mirticeli Medeiros, Pope Francis’s simplification of the funeral rites reflects his humility and revolution of the institution of the papacy. The late pope had long stressed the importance of a more dignified title, such as “Bishop of Rome,” which he felt was the most suitable for him.
After the funeral, Pope Francis’s coffin will be transferred to the Basilica of St Mary Major, where he will be the first pope to be buried in over 100 years. The late pope had requested a simple grave with only his papal name in Latin: “Franciscus.” This choice reflects his humility and desire for a more modest approach even in death.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/4/23/what-we-know-about-the-funeral-of-pope-francis