Pope Francis' funeral kicks off in Vatican City

Pope Francis has arrived at Santa Maria Maggiore, also known as Saint Mary Major, which will be his final resting place. The pope is breaking with tradition and is the first pope in more than a century to not be buried beneath St Peter’s Basilica. The pope died on Monday, April 21, 2025. The former leader of the Catholic Church died of a stroke and cardiac arrest, according to the Vatican. His final public appearance was on Easter Sunday, when he provided blessings to crowds of faithful.