Pope Francis' funeral, taking place on Saturday, will be held on the parvis of St. Peter’s Basilica, with Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re presiding over the rites. The funeral will initiate the Novendiali, a nine-day period of mourning and prayer, with masses specifically for Vatican employees and faithful. The ceremony will include traditional Catholic rites such as the Penitential Act, readings from the Acts of the Apostles and Saint Paul's letter, and the singing of Psalm 23. The service will conclude with a final Commendation and Farewell, and Pope Francis will be buried at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. Over 200,000 mourners are expected to attend, reflecting the global impact of Pope Francis' papacy, which emphasized extending Catholicism beyond traditional Western strongholds into impoverished nations.

Pope Francis' funeral is scheduled for Saturday at St. Peter’s Basilica, where Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re will lead the Catholic rites and blessings, with more than 200,000 attendees expected to honor the late pope.

The Novendiali, a traditional nine-day period of prayer and mourning, will commence with a Holy Mass led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, continuing with daily masses held for Vatican employees and faithful.

The funeral Mass will incorporate key Catholic elements such as the Entrance Antiphon, Penitential Act, and readings from the Acts of the Apostles and Saint Paul's letter to the Philippians.

The service will feature the Responsorial Psalm 'The Lord is my Shepherd' and will include a homily, prayer for Pope Francis, and the consecration of the Body and Blood of Christ.

A final Commendation and Farewell will be given, including prayers from the Church in Rome and Eastern Churches, followed by the burial of Pope Francis at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.

The Novendiali masses will be conducted by various prominent cardinals, with each day dedicated to different groups within the Church, reflecting Pope Francis' commitment to diverse Catholic communities.

Pope Francis, elected as the 266th pope in 2013, was known for extending the reach of Catholicism globally, particularly focusing on impoverished nations outside of the traditional Western strongholds.