Pope Francis to be laid to rest as global elite gathers for final journey

Aeriel view of the body of Pope Francis displayed for the faithful to pay homage at St Peter’s Basilica (Picture: SOPA Images/S)

A moment of history is unfolding in the Vatican City as an estimated 1.4 billion Catholics are preparing to bid farewell to Pope Francis during his final journey today.

For the first time in more than a decade, the world will watch the funeral of a pontiff – not one who resigned, but one who died in office – and crucially, one who broke Catholic convention by accepting LGBTQ+ couple.

It is one of the most significant moments in recent Catholic history – and one that will be remembered for generations to come.

Metro is on the ground in the heart of the Vatican, so follow along with us from St Peter’s Square.

What is the mood in the Vatican?

As clouds clear above the cobblestones of St Peter’s Square, the gates are overwhelmed with the crowds of mourners pouring from all directions.

Some are clutching rosaries, small flags and pictures of Francis, but most are armed with cameras and selfie sticks.

The route of the funeral procession from St Peter’s to St Mary Major (Picture: Metro.co.uk)

It is a well-oiled security operation by now – despite all the logistics. Official entry points, luggage scanners, checks every few metres. The perimetre is locked down and thousands of officers from Swiss Guards, Carabinieri andvarious branches of the Italian military are ensuring the safety.

For now, everyone’s eyes are peeled on the gates of St Peter’s Basilica from where Francis will begin his final journey. The weight of what is to come in the next few hours is hanging in the air.

Outside its walls, hundreds of thousands of people are lining the streets in the Italian capital to say goodbye to the pontiff and the number is expected to rise closer to the funeral.

For those still hoping to get to a vantage spot in St Peter’s Square, there is a level of anxiety.

Pope Francis’ coffin as Cardinal Kevin Farrell presides in St Peter’s Basilica at the Rite of Sealing of the Coffin (Picture: Vatican Media/Getty)

Many have travelled from afar, so there is an additional layer of pressure to make the most of this historic moment.

What are the funeral plans? Schedule and route to burial site

The official ceremony will begin with the pope’s coffin being taken out of St Peter’s Basilica and into the square.

The funeral Mass is due to start at 10 am (9am BST) with a choir singing introductory rites in Latin.

Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re will deliver the homily and lead the Mass, which is expected to be con-celebrated by 220 cardinals and 750 bishops and priests near the altar, and more than 4,000 other priests con-celebrating in the square.

Francis will then be buried according to his wishes in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, outside the Vatican.

The last pontiff to be buried outside the Vatican was Leo XIII, who died in 1903.

The funeral cortege will travel to the basilica at walking pace, for around three hours.

Crowds are expected to gather along the route, which is 3.4 miles long and will pass by many of Rome’s famed monuments, including the Colosseum.

A group of poor people will be present on the steps leading to Mary Major to pay their final respects to Francis, reflecting his devotion to serving the poor and oppressed during his reign.

The burial will be a private service, but visitors to the tomb will be allowed shortly afterwards. The tomb will be inscribed only with the Latin name for Francis, Franciscus.

Who is attending the event?

More than 200,000 people are expected to attend the ceremony in the vast square.

So far, at least 100 foreign delegations are among them, including some 50 heads of state.

Francis’ funeral will be something of a ‘spot the world leader’ game – but it is only a testament to the pope’s legacy and his reach beyond the Catholic Church.

Sir Keir Starmer, Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump will soon arrive for the start of the procession after flying in last night.

Kensington Palace confirmed that Prince William will represent the Royal Family in Rome, not King Charles.

Their presence is just one reason why security measures across Rome and especially inside the Vatican is tighter than ever.

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