Pope Francis' Three-Day Lying-in-State at St. Peter's Basilica
Pope Francis' Lying-in-State ceremony continues at St. Peter's Basilica for a second day. - Pope Francis' funeral continues with St. Peter's Basilica making its entrance, day two.
Hey there! The Pope's body was solemnly moved from Santa Marta to the altar in St. Peter's Basilica for the second day of his lying-in-state. Crowds flocked to pay their respects, with the public viewing set to continue until Friday evening. By then, the coffin will be closed.
But here's a fun fact: contrary to tradition, Pope Francis has requested to be buried in the papal basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, centrally located in Rome, instead of St. Peter's Basilica. His simple earth grave will bear the Latin inscription "Franciscus."
You might be wondering, what's the deal with Santa Marta? Well, that's where the Pope resided, and where he took his last breath on Easter Monday morning, following the Easter Mass. The Vatican announced that he passed due to a "stroke" and an "irreversible cardiovascular collapse." The Pope had been hospitalized for a severe lung infection back in February and March.
While we know that the lying-in-state process began at the Casa Santa Marta residence chapel, and the public viewing is happening at St. Peter's Basilica, the specifics regarding Pope Francis' final resting place remain undecided as of now. As the historical tradition is for popes to be interred in St. Peter’s Basilica or other Vatican sites, it'll be interesting to see if the Vatican breaks with the norm this time.
Stay tuned for more updates as they unfold!
- Pope
- Lying-in-State
- Pope Francis
- St. Peter's Basilica
- Crowd
- Vatican
- Santa Marta
[1] Source/Reference (optional)
- Schedule:
- Lying-in-State at Casa Santa Marta: April 21, 2025 (Initial rites)
- Public Viewing at St. Peter’s Basilica: April 23–25, 2025
- Funeral: April 26, 2025, at 10a.m. local time, St. Peter’s Square
[1] Source/Reference (optional)
- Pope Francis is lying in state for the second day at St. Peter's Basilica, drawing crowds from all over the Vatican.
- The schedule has been set for the lying-in-state period, with the public viewing taking place at St. Peter's Basilica from April 23 to April 25, 2025.
- Although Pope Francis is being honored at St. Peter's Basilica during the lying-in-state, he has chosen to be buried at the papal basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore instead.
- The Vatican is yet to decide on the specifics of Pope Francis' final resting place, considering the historical tradition of popes being interred in either St. Peter’s Basilica or other Vatican sites.
