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Pope Francis updates: Pope Francis' coffin has been closed

PHOTO: The casket of Pope Francis is being sealed at St. Peter's Basilica, ahead of his funeral at the Vatican, April 25, 2025.
5:34
Simone Risoluti/Vatican Media via Reuters
Over 250,000 pay homage to Pope Francis as world leaders prepare to attend funeral
By Morgan Winsor, Kevin Shalvey, Jon Haworth
Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 9:50 PM

Pope Francis, whose time as head of the Catholic Church was noted for humility and outreach efforts to people of disparate backgrounds and faiths, has died at 88, the Vatican said.

The pontiff's funeral is scheduled for Saturday, April 26, according to the Vatican. Francis' death on Monday came after a series of worsening health problems, including a diagnosis of double pneumonia that put him in the hospital for more than a month earlier this year.

Watch ABC News live coverage of the funeral for Pope Francis on Saturday starting at 3:30 a.m. ET on ABC stations and streaming on ABC News Live, Disney+ and Hulu.

PHOTOS: Pope Francis through the years

Latest headlines:

  • Trump arrives in Rome for Pope Francis' funeral
  • Pope Francis' coffin has been closed
  • About 250,000 people visit St. Peter's Basilica to pay homage to Pope Francis
Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.

Apr 25, 2025 9:50 PM

Trump arrives in Rome for Pope Francis' funeral

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump have arrived at Rome's Fiumicino Airport for the funeral of Pope Francis.

Trump was seen waving as he disembarked Air Force One.

Francis' funeral will take place Saturday morning at St. Peter's Basilica.

PHOTO: President Donald Trump gestures as he disembarks Air Force One at Fiumicino Airport, to attend the funeral of Pope Francis, near Rome, Italy, April 25, 2025.
Nathan Howard/Reuters
President Donald Trump gestures as he disembarks Air Force One at Fiumicino Airport, to attend the funeral of Pope Francis, near Rome, Italy, April 25, 2025.
Nathan Howard/Reuters
PHOTO: President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive at Fiumicino Airport, to attend the funeral of Pope Francis, near Rome, April 25, 2025.
Nathan Howard/Reuters
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive at Fiumicino Airport, to attend the funeral of Pope Francis, near Rome, April 25, 2025.
Nathan Howard/Reuters

Apr 25, 2025 8:18 PM

Pope Francis' coffin has been closed

The viewing of the casket of Pope Francis has ended, and his casket has been closed, according to the Vatican press office.

The rite of the closing of the coffin took place at 8 p.m. local time Friday at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, officials said. During the rite, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, interim manager of the Vatican until a new pope is elected, read the deed, which was then placed in the coffin at the end of the ceremony.

PHOTO: The body of Pope Francis lies in a casket before it's sealed, at St. Peter's Basilica, ahead of his funeral at the Vatican, April 25, 2025.
Francesco Sforza/Vatcan Media via Reuters
The body of Pope Francis lies in a casket before it's sealed, at St. Peter's Basilica, ahead of his funeral at the Vatican, April 25, 2025.
Francesco Sforza/Vatcan Media via Reuters

Some of Pope Francis' family members participated in the rite.

A presence of prayer and vigil will take place throughout the night until preparations begin for Holy Mass on Saturday morning for Francis' funeral, according to the Vatican.

-ABC News' Phoebe Natanson


Apr 25, 2025 9:27 PM

About 250,000 people visit St. Peter's Basilica to pay homage to Pope Francis

Over three days, about 250,000 people visited St. Peter’s Basilica to pay homage to Pope Francis, the Vatican press office said.

PHOTO: Members of the public line up to pay their respects to late Pope Francis as he lies in state inside Saint Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, April 24, 2025.
Alessandro Di Meo/epa-efe/shutte/ALESSANDRO DI MEO/EPA-EFE/Shutte
Members of the public line up to pay their respects to late Pope Francis as he lies in state inside Saint Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, April 24, 2025.
Alessandro Di Meo/epa-efe/shutte/ALESSANDRO DI MEO/EPA-EFE/Shutte

The viewing ended Friday at 7 p.m. local time.

-ABC News’ Phoebe Natanson



Apr 25, 2025 1:58 PM

Bidens to attend Pope Francis' funeral

Former President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden are expected to attend the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday, a spokesperson for the former president confirmed to ABC News.

Biden is the second Catholic president in U.S. history, after John F. Kennedy.

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump are expected to be in attendance as well.


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