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Pope Francis Laid to Rest: Funeral Held at 10 AM in Vatican City
VATICAN CITY, April 26, 2025 — A historic chapter closed today as Pope Francis was laid to rest. His funeral, held on Saturday, April 26, began promptly at 10:00 a.m. local time (1:30 p.m. IST) in St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City.
The ceremony, lasting around four hours, was led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals. As the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica tolled, thousands of mourners gathered under a clear Roman sky to say their final goodbye.
Despite being a global event, the funeral was simple — honoring Pope Francis’s own wish for a modest farewell. After the service, his body was transferred to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, marking a rare departure from the tradition of papal burials at St. Peter’s Basilica.
Millions around the world watched the funeral live through the Vatican’s YouTube channel, its official Facebook page, and major international news networks.
Highlights of the Funeral Timing
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Date: Saturday, April 26, 2025
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Start Time: 10:00 a.m. local Vatican time
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Indian Time: 1:30 p.m. IST
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Duration: Approximately 4 hours
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Venue: St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City
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Burial Location: Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome
The Vatican urged people to join spiritually if they could not attend physically, with public screenings organized in major cities worldwide.
A Global Gathering of Leaders
Dignitaries from across the globe gathered in Rome, including U.S. President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and Prince William. Their presence symbolized the enormous influence Pope Francis had across political, cultural, and religious lines.
