Pope Francis’ death: Details of Pontiff’s funeral announced as Vatican releases photos of him lying in state

Details of the funeral plans for Pope Francis have been announced as photos showing the Pontiff lying in State inside his private chapel at the Vatican were released.

After a meeting of Cardinals it was revealed the Pontiff will not be buried at the Vatican like most of his predecessors, but rather in a simple tomb at Rome’s Basilica of Saint Mary Major, with his funeral set for 10am Saturday, local time (6pm AEST).

Cardinals met to plan Pope Francis’ funeral, which leaders from around the world will attend ahead of a conclave next month to elect a new head of the Roman Catholic Church.

Francis, 88, died unexpectedly on Monday after suffering a stroke and cardiac arrest, ending an often turbulent reign in which he repeatedly clashed with traditionalists and championed the poor and marginalised.

The pontiff spent five weeks in hospital earlier in 2025 for double pneumonia. But he returned to his Vatican home almost a month ago and had seemed to be recovering, appearing in St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday.

His sudden death set in motion ancient rituals, as the 1.4-billion-member church started the transition from one pope to another, including the breaking of the pope’s “Fisherman’s Ring” and lead seal so they cannot be used by anyone else.

“We want to thank the Lord for the gifts he has given to the whole Church with the apostolic ministry of Pope Francis, a pilgrim of hope,” said Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, who led prayers in St. Peter’s Square on Monday evening.

All cardinals currently in Rome have been invited to gather in the Vatican on Tuesday at 9am local time (5pm AEST), where they are expected to make funeral plans.

US President Donald Trump, who clashed repeatedly with the pope about immigration, said he and his wife would fly to Rome for the event. Among other heads of state set to attend were Javier Milei, president of Francis’ native Argentina.

The Vatican has said it expects the ceremony to take place sometime between Friday and Sunday. In a break from tradition, Francis confirmed in his final testament released on Monday that he wished to be buried in Rome’s Basilica of Saint Mary Major and not St. Peter’s Basilica.

The gathering of cardinals will also review the day-to-day running of the Church in the period before a new pope is elected.

A conclave to choose a new pope normally takes place 15 to 20 days after the death of a pontiff, meaning it should not start before May 6. Some 135 cardinals are eligible to participate in the highly secretive ballot which can stretch over days.

At present there is no clear frontrunner to succeed Francis.