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Pope Francis’ death has set off a centuries-old orchestrated series of events to honor his life and legacy, though the funeral for the 266th pope will likely differ drastically from those of his predecessors.
The beloved pontiff, who died on Monday at 88 following a lengthy battle of double pneumonia, made changes to his funeral rites last year that underscore his humility while ditching the traditional pomp and circumstance.
People pay their respects inside The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Most Precious Blood, informally known as Westminster Cathedral, in central London on April 21, 2025, following the news of the death of Pope Francis. AFP via Getty ImagesTypically, papal funerals are held four to six days after the death in St. Peter’s Square, however, Francis had said that, unlike his predecessors, he would not be laid to rest in the crypt of St. Peter’s Basilica. Instead, he opted to be buried in Rome’s St. Mary Major Basilica.
He also chose a simple wooden casket, a far cry from his predecessors who would be laid to rest in three interlocking caskets made of cypress, lead and oak.
The date of his funeral has not yet been announced.
When Pope Francis became pontiff: A timeline of his religious journey and career
- Dec. 17, 1936: Jorge Mario Bergoglio is born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the eldest of five children to Mario Jose Bergoglio, an accountant from Italy, and Regina María Sívori, the daughter of Italian immigrants.
- Dec. 13, 1969: Ordained a priest with the Jesuit religious order, which he would lead as Argentina provincial superior during the country’s murderous dictatorship that began in the 1970s.
- May 20, 1992: Named auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires and in 1998 succeeds Cardinal Antonio Quarracino as archbishop of the Argentine capital.
- Feb. 21, 2001: Elevated to cardinal by Pope John Paul II.
- March 13, 2013: Elected 266th pope, the first from the Americas, the first Jesuit and the first to take the name Francis, after St. Francis of Assisi.
The conclave to elect a new pope begins in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel between 15 and 20 days after the pope’s death at the behest of a secret ballot.
Cardinals need at least two-thirds plus one to elect the new pope, meaning voting can take several days before a new pope is chosen.
With Post wires.
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