The world prepares to say goodbye to Pope Francis, the humble leader who touched millions with his message of compassion and unity. The Vatican has announced the final arrangements for the late Pontiff, who passed away on April 21 at the age of 88. His body will now begin its solemn journey to St. Peter’s Basilica, where faithful from around the globe will gather to pay their last respects.

Early on the morning of Wednesday, April 23, the Vatican will hold a deeply moving ceremony as Pope Francis’ coffin is transferred from the Chapel of the Domus Sanctae Marthae to St. Peter’s Basilica. The procession, set to begin at 9:00 a.m., marks the start of a period of public mourning for a man who became a spiritual father to countless people across different faiths and cultures.

The rite will be led by Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, the Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, who holds a key role in the transition period following the Pope’s death. The coffin will be carried in a slow and dignified procession through the sacred grounds of the Vatican, passing through Piazza Santa Marta and Piazza dei Protomartiri Romani before entering St. Peter’s Basilica through its grand central door. The path will take the funeral procession under the Arco delle Campane, a symbolic passage that has witnessed the final journeys of many Popes before him.

Once inside the basilica, the coffin will be placed before the Altar of the Confessio, where Cardinal Farrell will lead a Liturgy of the Word. This brief but meaningful service will open the doors for pilgrims, dignitaries, and faithful from all walks of life to come forward and bid farewell to the late Holy Father. For many, this will be their last chance to stand in the presence of the man who championed the poor, called for peace, and worked tirelessly to bridge divides in the Church and the world.

The Funeral Mass for Pope Francis will take place on Saturday, April 26, at 10:00 a.m. on the parvis of St. Peter’s Basilica. The ceremony will be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the Dean of the College of Cardinals, and is expected to draw an immense gathering of religious leaders, political figures, and ordinary believers who were moved by the Pope’s life and teachings.

The Mass will bring together Patriarchs, Cardinals, Archbishops, and Bishops from across the globe, all united in prayer for the first Jesuit Pope and the first from Latin America. His papacy broke barriers, bringing a fresh perspective to the Vatican with his emphasis on mercy, dialogue, and a Church that reaches out to the marginalized. The funeral service will reflect these values, honoring a man who lived simply despite holding one of the most influential spiritual offices in the world.

Following the Eucharistic celebration, the final rites—the Ultima commendatio and Valedictio—will be conducted, marking the official farewell to Pope Francis. His coffin will then be taken back into St. Peter’s Basilica before being transferred to its final resting place in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major. This choice of burial site was his own, a testament to his deep devotion to the Virgin Mary, whom he often turned to in prayer during his lifetime.

As the Vatican and the world prepare for these solemn ceremonies, memories of Pope Francis’ impactful papacy continue to resonate. From washing the feet of prisoners to embracing refugees, from his calls for environmental stewardship to his efforts to heal divisions within the Church, his legacy is one of profound love and service. His final journey, though marked by grief, will also be a celebration of a life lived in unwavering faith and dedication to others.

In the coming days, St. Peter’s Square will fill with mourners, each carrying their own stories of how Pope Francis touched their lives. Some will remember his warm smile, others his bold words against injustice, and many more his constant reminder that God’s mercy is for everyone. As his coffin rests beneath the great dome of St. Peter’s, the world will pause to honor a shepherd who walked among his flock with humility and grace.

The final rites will not just be a goodbye but a reaffirmation of the values he stood for—kindness, hope, and the belief that no one is beyond redemption. And though his physical presence is gone, the spirit of Pope Francis’ mission will continue to inspire generations to come.

As the sun rises over Rome on Wednesday, the first steps of his last journey will begin, guiding him home to eternal rest. For those who loved him, it is a moment to reflect, to pray, and to carry forward the light he brought into the world. Pope Francis may have left this earth, but his message of love endures.