Pope Francis updates: Pope Francis' coffin has been closed

The funeral for Pope Francis will be held on Saturday, the Vatican said.

ByMorgan Winsor, Kevin Shalvey, and Jon Haworth
Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 5:50 PM EDT

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.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Apr 21, 2025, 9:04 AM EDT

Pope Francis 'made us want to be better people,' Obama says

Former President Barack Obama called Pope Francis "the rare leader who made us want to be better people."

"In his humility and his gestures at once simple and profound -- embracing the sick, ministering to the homeless, washing the feet of young prisoners -- he shook us out of our complacency and reminded us that we are all bound by moral obligations to God and one another," Obama said in a statement on Monday.

President Barack Obama meets with Pope Francis at the Vatican, March 27, 2014.
Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP

"Today, Michelle and I mourn with everyone around the world -- Catholic and non-Catholic alike -- who drew strength and inspiration from the Pope’s example," Obama said.

Apr 21, 2025, 8:51 AM EDT

Karoline Leavitt: 'A solemn day for Catholics around the world'

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Fox News that today is "a solemn day for Catholics around the world."

Pope Francis' death comes one day after his brief audience with Vice President JD Vance at the Vatican on Easter Sunday.

Leavitt said Vance’s team told her "how grateful they were for the opportunity to have met with the Pope."

"He touched millions of lives throughout his tenure as the head of the Catholic Church," she said, adding, "we are praying for all those who loved the Pope and believed in him."

It's not yet clear whether President Donald Trump would travel for the services honoring the life of Pope Francis.

"No travel plans at this time -- doesn't mean it's not happening. I just don't have anything to share," Leavitt told ABC News.

-ABC News’ Justin Ryan Gomez

Apr 21, 2025, 8:34 AM EDT

Eiffel Tower lights to be switched off in pope’s honor

The lights on the Eiffel Tower will be switched off on Monday night in a tribute to Pope Francis, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said in a social media post.

The mayor also suggested that a place in Paris should be named in Francis’ honor.

-ABC News’ Tom Soufi Burridge

Apr 21, 2025, 8:11 AM EDT

'May God Bless him,' Trump says of Francis

President Donald Trump issued a brief statement about Pope Francis' death on his Truth Social platform on Monday.

"Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him!" Trump said.

Trump shared a message on social media Monday morning following the death of the pontiff.
1:17
President Trump reacts to Pope Francis’ deathTrump shared a message on social media Monday morning following the death of the pontiff.
ABCNews.com

-ABC News' Justin Gomez

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