Pope Francis’ funeral mass is scheduled Saturday, April 26, at 4:00 p.m. (Philippine time) at St. Peter’s Square, the Holy See Press Office announced on April 22. 

The mass will conclude with traditional rites, Ultima commendatio and Valedictio — prayers entrusting the late pontiff to God’s care —ushering in the start of Novemdiales, a nine-day observance of mourning and liturgical services dedicated to praying for the eternal rest of his soul.

Following the funeral rites, the late Pope’s remains will be brought into St. Peter’s Basilica before being transferred to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, where he will be laid to rest.

Unlike his predecessors who were buried in St. Peter’s Basilica, the pope, in his will dated June 29, 2022, asked to be buried in a niche situated between the Chapel of the Salus Populi Romani and the Sforza Chapel, both located within Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major.

In addition, the late pontiff requested a burial “without particular decoration,” bearing only an inscription of his papal name in Latin: Franciscus.

Public viewing of the late Pope will begin on Wednesday, April 23, at St. Peter’s Basilica around 9:00 a.m. (Vatican time), shortly after his casket is brought in a procession from the Vatican hotel where he resided.

As of writing, the pope lies in a chapel at Casa Santa Martha in a simple wooden casket, as he had requested in his June 2022 spiritual testament.