Pope Francis' Funeral Set for Saturday Amid Global Mourning

As the world mourns the death of Pope Francis, preparations for his funeral on Saturday are underway, highlighting his legacy and the future of the Catholic Church.

Pope Francis' funeral is scheduled for Saturday at 10 a.m., and will reflect a more modest approach following the pontiff's preference for simplicity. Known for breaking away from the grandeur traditionally associated with his position, Francis chose to be interred in a single coffin, diverging from the historical custom of nested coffins. The Vatican announced on Monday, just hours after his passing at the age of 88, that cardinals from around the globe would converge in Vatican City to honor the leader of the Roman Catholic Church and discuss the process of selecting his successor.

The cardinals convened on Tuesday at the synod hall, guided by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the dean of the College of Cardinals. It was decided that Pope Francis' body would be displayed at St. Peter’s Basilica starting Wednesday, leading up to the funeral service. The burial of a pope typically takes place four to six days posthumously, with elaborate ceremonies extending for about nine days. Following the funeral rites, cardinals under the age of 80 will be allowed to cast vote to choose a new pontiff, which includes 135 eligible cardinals, shaping the future of a church with 1.3 billion followers.

World leaders and religious figures are expected to attend the service; however, the global political landscape has shifted dramatically since Francis took office in 2013. Figures he encountered during his papacy may not mirror today's political climate, where authoritarian regimes have risen, perhaps making his voice a solitary one amidst these changes.

Notably, some conservative forces within the church view Francis' death as an opportunity for a potential ideological shift back to traditionalism. Meanwhile, the question looms: will the next pope perpetuate a progressive agenda reminiscent of Francis, or revert to more conservative beliefs?

The Vatican confirmed that Francis died from a cerebral stroke, contributing to his cardiovascular failure. His will expressed a wish for a simple burial at the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major in an undecorated grave, with only the inscription “Franciscus.” For more on his legacy, memorials across the globe are being established, with emotional tributes evident from Venezuela to the Philippines, capturing the profound impact he had during his reign.