Pope Francis’ funeral date set as mourners gather at St. Peter’s Square

Pope Francis’ funeral will be held Saturday morning in St. Peter’s Square, the Vatican announced early Tuesday.

Public viewing of Francis, 88, who died unexpectedly on Monday after suffering a stroke and cardiac arrest, will begin as soon as Wednesday morning in St. Peter’s Basilica.

The funeral will be Saturday at 10 a.m. local time in St. Peter’s Square.

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Francis, known for clashing with traditionalists, also strayed from some traditions in his burial plans, opting to be entombed in a simple wooden casket at St. Mary Major basilica, just outside the Vatican.

Typically, popes are laid to rest underneath St. Peter’s Basilica. However, Francis had a “very strong” connection to the basilica at St. Mary Major, visiting it over 100 times during his papacy. 

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Francis’ predecessors have also all typically been buried in three coffins: one made of cypress, another made of elm, and another made of lead. 

Photos of Pope Francis in his coffin were released Tuesday, showing him in red vestments and his bishop’s miter, with the Vatican secretary of state praying over him in the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta hotel where he lived. 

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About 60 cardinals participated in the first meeting to decide the next steps following Francis’ death, the Vatican said. A date has not been set for the conclave to elect his successor, but it may be as soon as May 5. 

The conclave to elect a new pope by secret ballot begins in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel between 15 and 20 days after the pope’s death.

Cardinals need at least two-thirds plus one to elect the new pope, meaning voting can take several days before a new pontiff is chosen.