VATICAN CITY, — Pope Francis’ state funeral is set to begin in St. Peter’s Square, following three days of public viewing that drew more than 250,000 mourners from around the world.

Pope Francis died Monday at age 88 after suffering a stroke, ending a papacy marked by his focus on the poor, environmental concerns, and efforts to reform church governance.

The funeral procession will begin the ceremony as global leaders and dignitaries have already arrived in Rome. Security forces have established a significant presence, with Italy deploying more than 2,500 police officers and 1,500 soldiers throughout the Vatican and along the 4-kilometer route to the pope’s final resting place.

Vatican officials confirmed 164 delegations will attend, including 54 heads of state and 12 reigning sovereigns. U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrived late Friday, while Argentine President Javier Milei, French President Emmanuel Macron, and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer are among the world leaders gathered to pay their respects.

The United Kingdom’s Prince William and Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia will represent royalty at the ceremony. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy previously confirmed his attendance but indicated his presence would depend on the war situation at home.

The three-day public viewing period concluded Friday evening when guards changed positions beside Francis’ open coffin, where he lay in red robes with a bishop’s miter and rosary entwined in his hands. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, in his role as camerlengo, has overseen the closing and sealing of the coffin, which includes placing a white cloth over the pontiff’s face and including commemorative coins from his papacy.

Following the funeral in St. Peter’s Square, expected to draw up to 200,000 mourners, Pope Francis’ casket will make its way to St. Mary Major Basilica for burial. In a touching detail reflecting the pope’s lifelong ministry to the marginalized, a group of poor and needy people will meet his coffin to pay their final respects.

The burial will take place in private, with a simple marble tombstone bearing only the Latin inscription “Franciscus,” as requested in the pope’s testament.

The conclave to choose Francis’ successor will not begin until at least May 5, after the nine-day mourning period concludes. Cardinals met yesterday to discuss church business but will not convene again until next week.