Pope Francis’ funeral scheduled for Saturday

CEBU, Philippines — The Vatican officially announced that the late pope will be laid to rest in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major, per his personal wishes.

The funeral is scheduled for Saturday, April 26, at 10 a.m. (Rome time), and will be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re.

In Cebu, the cradle of Catholicism in the Philippines, church bells rang and images of Pope Francis were displayed in some churches as the faithful grieved, prayed, and paid tribute to the man they fondly called the “People’s Pope.”

Fr. Charles Louise Jayme, vice rector of San Carlos Seminary College and chairman of the Relief and Rehabilitation Unit of the Archdiocese of Cebu, shared that they got permission from Archbishop Jose Palma to hold a public novena Mass for nine consecutive days in their chapel, inviting Cebuanos to join in prayer for Pope Francis’ soul.

Msgr. Raul Go, judicial vicar of the Archdiocese of Cebu, urged continued prayers for the repose of the Holy Father’s soul, especially as the Church prepares for the conclave to elect a new pope.

“Tungod kay ang Santo Papa maoy naghiusa nato isip usa ka katawhan, mura tag nawad-an og amahan,” Go shared.

Go expressed sadness over Pope Francis’ passing and hoped his successor would again be someone close to the Filipino people or someone with the same compassion for the marginalized.

“Kung mahimo nato to pray simultaneously with Rome, mo pray ta sa kalag sa Santo Papa… pasalamat tas Ginoo sa mga kausaban, relevant changes ba ngihimo sa Santo Papa.”

Even those who had never met the Pope in person felt his genuineness and presence. A street beggar in Colon Street, Cebu City, shared, “Wala man ko kita niya, pero sa TV ug sa mga istorya, kabalo ko nga iyang giatiman ang mga kabus.”

As of this writing, the Cebu Archdiocese is also awaiting further instructions regarding additional memorial activities and public rites honoring the late pontiff.

When asked if a delegation from Cebu would be sent to Rome to attend the funeral rites, Archdiocese of Cebu spokesperson Msgr. Joseph Tan said that, to his knowledge, no plans have been confirmed yet.

Meanwhile, tributes also poured in from the Bangsamoro Government, which extended its condolences and called Pope Francis “a beacon of hope and a tireless advocate for peace, justice, and interfaith dialogue.”

Chief Minister Hon. Abdulraof A. Macacua, in an official statement, noted the Pope’s strong appeals for peace in the Middle East, especially amid atrocities in Palestine.

“He continuously urged leaders to depart from war and instead seek peaceful resolutions. These were not just words but a call to action and a reminder of our shared humanity,” the statement read.

Lolo Kiko's final letter

In his final letter dated June 29, 2022, Pope Francis requested that his remains rest in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major—the same church where he always prayed before and after his apostolic journeys.

“I wish that my final earthly journey conclude precisely in this ancient Marian shrine,” he wrote.

One of his specific requests was that the tomb be simple, with no ornamentation, bearing only the inscription: Franciscus.

He entrusted the arrangements to Msgr. Rolandas Makrickas, noting that a benefactor would cover the burial expenses—a gesture reflecting the simplicity he lived by.

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Dec. 17, 1936, became the first Jesuit and first Latin American pope in March 2013 following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI.

His papacy marked a significant shift in tone for the Catholic Church—toward inclusivity, compassion, and dialogue with the modern world.

He was best known for his advocacy for the poor, concern for the environment through his encyclical Laudato Si’ (Praise Be to You), and his openness to interfaith dialogue.

The Vatican medical report listed his cause of death as complications from a stroke, coma, and cardiovascular collapse, compounded by earlier illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, and multiple bronchiectasis.

Despite these conditions, he continued his pastoral duties until the final weeks of his life, holding audiences and praying. – /ATO(FREEMAN)