Prince William will be attending Pope Francis’ funeral on behalf of the British royal family, representing his father, King Charles.
The funeral, scheduled for April 26, 2025, will take place at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. The Prince of Wales will be among world leaders and dignitaries, including US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who are expected to join the service. The Pope passed away on April 21, and his funeral is set to take place just days after his death, as per Vatican tradition.
The Royal Family’s involvement in the Pope’s funeral highlights the deep respect the British monarchy holds for the pontiff. King Charles and Queen Camilla had a private meeting with Pope Francis just two weeks before his passing during their visit to Italy. This moment was described by Buckingham Palace as one of the highlights of their trip, showcasing the ongoing connection between the royal family and the Vatican. The visit had been planned as a state visit to the Vatican, but it was canceled due to the Pope’s health concerns at the time.
In a show of respect, royal flags have been lowered to half-mast at residences across the UK. Additionally, King Charles, who had previously represented his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth, at Pope John Paul II’s funeral in 2005, was seen wearing a black tie during recent meetings at Windsor Castle. These gestures reflect the significance of the Pope’s passing and the monarchy’s commitment to honoring his memory.
The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Francis’ funeral will be held outdoors in front of St. Peter’s Basilica at 10:00 AM local time. The service will be led by Giovanni Battista Re, the Dean of the College of Cardinals. Since the announcement, the Vatican has released moving images of Pope Francis in an open casket, dressed in his red papal robes in the Casa Santa Marta chapel, where he lived for the majority of his papacy.
In a break from tradition, Pope Francis will not be buried in the crypt beneath St. Peter’s Basilica, as had been customary for previous Popes. Instead, he will be laid to rest in Rome’s Basilica of St. Mary Major, in accordance with his final wishes. The Pope had specifically requested this change in his will, stating that he had always entrusted himself to the Virgin Mary. His final resting place will be simple, without any grand ornamentation, and will bear only the inscription “Franciscus” in Latin.
The Pope’s testament also revealed his desire for his tomb to be located in a specific area of the Basilica, between the Pauline Chapel and the Sforza Chapel. Pope Francis expressed his gratitude for the care he received during his life and his hope for peace and fraternity among people, making his final request an intimate and reflective one.
As Prince William prepares to attend the funeral, the British royal family’s presence at such a significant event underlines the global importance of Pope Francis’ leadership and legacy. This event marks the end of an era, as Francis was the first Pope in over 50 years to take a personal stand on matters of peace and justice, gaining worldwide admiration for his humility and compassion.
