Pope Francis Funeral Date, Time, Live Telecast & Where to Watch: What’s Next for the Vatican?

The global Catholic community is now under extreme grief as Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88, as officially confirmed by the Vatican on Saturday. The news of Pope Francis' death has sent shockwaves around the world, especially coming just a day after he appeared briefly to deliver the "Urbi et Orbi" blessing on Easter Sunday, calling once again for peace in Gaza.

Pope Francis, the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church and the first from Latin America, died peacefully in the Vatican, according to official sources. He had been battling multiple health issues over recent months, and concerns had grown about Pope Francis's health when his public appearances reduced and mobility got limited.

The world is mourning the death of Pope Francis. Flags are being lowered, church bells are ringing, and Catholic communities everywhere are coming together to pray and remember him.

A special church official called the Camerlengo, along with three helpers, will decide when Pope Francis's coffin will be placed inside St Peter's Basilica so that people can come and say goodbye.

They also break two important items, the Pope's Fisherman's Ring and his lead seal, so that no one else can use them. No autopsy will be done, which is a tradition followed after a pope dies.

Pope Francis Funeral Date and Time: When Will the Funeral Happen?

After a pope dies, the Church holds nine days of mourning. The exact funeral date and burial time will be decided by a group of senior church leaders called cardinals. Usually, the funeral takes place four to six days after the pope passes away, and it's held in St Peter's Square at the Vatican.

However, Pope Francis had said he didn't want to be buried in the usual place under St Peter's Basilica. Instead, he wished to be laid to rest in St Mary Major Basilica in Rome. He also asked for a simple wooden coffin, not anything fancy, as per a Reuters report.

The funeral will be a very important and emotional ceremony, with traditional prayers, a final blessing, and tributes from world leaders and people around the world.

Pope Francis Funeral Live Telecast: Where to Watch

The live telecast of Pope Francis's funeral will be available globally through multiple platforms. You can watch it at Vatican Media Live Stream, which will be available on YouTube and official Vatican websites. CNN Live, who is also expected to stream special international coverage with commentary. You can also watch the live stream on BBC World News, Sky News, and local Catholic news with extensive funeral coverage and papal legacy segments.

What Happens After the Death of Pope Francis?

• With the passing of Pope Francis, Vatican City now enters a period known as Sede Vacante (Latin for "vacant seat"), which mainly signals the absence of a sitting pope as per official data.
• Key Steps After the Pope Dies:
• Senior cardinals around the world will gather in the Vatican to plan the conclave.
• Within 15 to 20 days, a secretive voting session begins in the Sistine Chapel to elect a new pope.
• Once a decision is made, white smoke will rise from the Vatican chimney, and the new pope will be introduced on the balcony.
• World leaders and religious heads will issue tributes for Pope Francis as global communities mourn his loss.

About Pope Francis

"Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina in 1936, led the Catholic Church from 2013 until his death in 2025. He was the first-ever pope from the Jesuit order, the first from the Americas, and the first non-European pope in over 1,200 years.

He became a priest in 1969 and later became the Archbishop of Buenos Aires. In 2013, after Pope Benedict XVI resigned, Bergoglio was elected pope and took the name Francis in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi Pope Francis was known for his humble lifestyle, kindness, and focus on helping the poor. Unlike other popes, he chose to live in a simple guest house instead of the grand papal palace. He also worked hard to build peace among different religions and often spoke about the importance of mercy, compassion, and love." as per Wikipedia.