Francis died on Monday, April 26, at 88 years old.
ByKevin Shalvey and Jon Haworth
Last Updated: April 26, 2025, 4:40 AM EDT
Pope Francis, the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, will be buried Saturday at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major after dying one week ago at 88 years old.
Francis, who took his name after Saint Francis of Assisi, was known for his outreach to the poor and those in poverty and that will be reflected in his minimalist burial at Saint Mary Major. He is the first pope to be buried outside the Vatican in over a century and the first to be buried at Santa Maria Maggiore in more than 300 years.
ABC News Live streaming coverage of the funeral will begin on Saturday at 3:30 a.m. ET, while it will also air on local ABC stations and streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.
American Kielce Gussie, who works as a journalist at Vatican News, did the first reading in English — several verses from the Acts of the Apostles — at the funeral of Pope Francis.
American Kielce Gussie does first reading at Pope Francis’ funeralAmerican Kielce Gussie, who works as a journalist at Vatican News, did the first reading in English — several verses from the Acts of the Apostles — at the funeral of Pope Francis.
Gussie, originally from Florida, completed her undergraduate degree in theology at Mount St. Mary’s University.
President Joe Biden awarded Pope Francis the Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction during a phone call in January 2025. It was the only Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction that Biden had awarded at that time.
Former President Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden arrive for the funeral Mass of Pope Francis, at the Vatican, April 26, 2025.
“Pope Francis, your humility and your grace are beyond words, and your love for all is unparalleled,” Biden posted on X. “As the People’s Pope, you are a light of faith, hope, and love that shines brightly across the world.”
As the funeral of Pope Francis begins, a choir can be heard singing an antiphon in Latin, a short verse which is traditionally sung or recited in Christian liturgical ritual.
Pallbearers carry the coffin into St. Petere’s Square during the funeral of Pope Francis, April 26, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican.
Pope Francis’ coffin moved to St. Peter’s Square to applausePope Francis, the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, will be buried Saturday at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major after dying one week ago at 88 years old.
The book of the gospels lays on the coffin of late Pope Francis during the funeral ceremony at St Peter’s Square in the Vatican, April 26, 2025.
Tiziana Fabi/AFP via Getty Images
An open Book of the Gospels was then placed on top of Pope Francis’ coffin as the service started.
A mostly calm crowd that has gathered in St. Peter’s Square on Saturday morning broke out into applause when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appeared on the screens dotted around the square.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy attends the funeral Mass of Pope Francis, at the Vatican, April 26, 2025.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy arrives to applause at Pope Francis’ funeralApplause broke out at the Vatican as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived for the funeral of Pope Francis.
Zelenskyy is sitting with many other world leaders and dignitaries who have made their way from around the world to say goodbye to Pope Francis.
