Vatican Announces Funeral for Pope Francis on Saturday

The Vatican has also released images of Pope Francis in an open coffin, dressed in a red robe with the papal mitre on his head and a rosary in his hand.

- AGENCIES VATICAN CITY

The body of the late Pope Francis will be transferred to St. Peter's Basilica on April 23 to lie in state until his funeral on Saturday morning, the Vatican announced on Tuesday.

The Vatican has also released images of Pope Francis in an open coffin, dressed in a red robe with the papal mitre on his head and a rosary in his hand. The pictures were taken in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta, Pope Francis's residence at the Vatican.

The Holy See Press Office announced today that Pope Francis' funeral Mass will take place on Saturday, April 26 at 10:00 AM in St. Peter's Square, the open ground in front of St. Peter's Basilica. Cardinals had met this morning to decide on the date of the funeral.

The dean of the College of Cardinals, Giovanni Battista Re, will lead the funeral service. At the end of the funeral, Cardinal Re will deliver the final commendation—a concluding prayer in which the Pope will be formally entrusted to God—and the body will be moved to St. Mary Major for burial.