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Key Points
- Pope Francis’ funeral will take place on Saturday in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican.
- Francis died on Monday from a stroke and cardiac arrest, following a recent battle with double pneumonia.
- Thousands of pilgrims have arrived in Rome ahead of the funeral to mourn and pay their respects.
Francis, 88, died on Monday after suffering a stroke and cardiac arrest, ending an often turbulent reign in which he repeatedly clashed with traditionalists and championed the poor and marginalised.

Italian President Sergio Mattarella and his daughter Laura Mattarella pay their respects to the late Pope Francis. Source: AAP / VATICAN MEDIA HANDOUT / EPA
The pontiff spent five weeks in hospital earlier this year suffering from double pneumonia and had appeared to be slowly recovering, but the Vatican on Tuesday recounted his last moments, saying death came quickly and he had not suffered.
Swiss Guards stood on either side of the casket as dignitaries, including Italian President Sergio Mattarella, paid homage to the first Latin American pope.
His funeral service will be held at 10:00 am (6pm AEST) the following day in St. Peter’s Square, in front of the 16th-century basilica. It will be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the 91-year-old dean of the College of Cardinals.
In a break from tradition, Francis confirmed in his final testament, released on Monday, that he wished to be buried in Rome’s Basilica of Saint Mary Major and not St. Peter’s, where many of his predecessors were laid to rest.