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Global Leaders Gather for Pope Francis's Historic Funeral

4/25/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Pope Francis's funeral is set for April 26, 2025, in St. Peter's Square, following a poignant three-day lying-in-state. Prince William will stand in for King Charles III, while global leaders like Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron are confirmed to pay their respects. In a historic departure from tradition, Pope Francis will be laid to rest at St. Mary Major Basilica.

History

Historical Context

Pope Francis's upcoming funeral on April 26, 2025, marks a significant departure from tradition, as he will be buried at St. Mary Major Basilica, the first pope since Leo XIII in 1903 to be interred outside the Vatican. His papacy, characterized by reforms and simplification of rituals, reflects a broader trend of modernizing the Catholic Church, similar to the changes initiated by Vatican II in the 1960s.

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Story summary

Pope Francis's funeral is set for April 26, 2025, in St. Peter's Square, following a poignant three-day lying-in-state. Prince William will stand in for King Charles III, while global leaders like Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron are confirmed to pay their respects. In a historic departure from tradition, Pope Francis will be laid to rest at St. Mary Major Basilica.

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