Celebrations in memory of Pope Francis

Vatican, April 20, 2026: On Tuesday, April 21, marking the first anniversary of the death of Pope Francis, Vatican News will broadcast a live Rosary and Mass from the Basilica of St. Mary Major, along with the release of a documentary commemorating the late Argentine Pope.

It has been one year since the passing of Pope Francis, which took place at Casa Santa Marta at 7:35 a.m. on April 21, 2025.

Five days later, his funeral was held, and his mortal remains, in accordance with his wishes, have since been laid to rest in the Marian Basilica of St. Mary Major, which is now preparing to solemnly observe the anniversary.

The Program

The Basilica announced that the commemoration will begin with the recitation of the Rosary at 5 p.m. in the Pauline Chapel, a place Pope Francis visited dozens of times.

Following this, on the right side of the Chapel, a commemorative plaque will be unveiled in honour of the special bond between Pope Francis and the icon of Mary Salus Populi Romani.

The bronze plaque carries a Latin inscription of 160 characters in two different sizes, which reads: "Francis Supreme Pontiff, who paused 126 times in devout prayer at the feet of the Salus Populi Romani; according to his will, rests in this Papal Basilica."

Link to Follow the Event via Live Streaming

After the Rosary, at 6 p.m., the Mass will be celebrated, during which a message from Pope Leo XIV, currently on his Apostolic Journey in Africa, will be read.

The celebration will be displayed on a large screen in front of the Basilica, in St. Mary Major Square, and will also be streamed on Vatican News via this link (Click here).

Vatican documentary

To mark the anniversary, Vatican News will release a 26-minute documentary—subtitled in Italian, English, and Spanish—which, through archival footage and symbolic sequences, recounts the pontificate of 'the Pope of mercy' and 'the Pope of the peripheries,' highlighting his most emblematic expressions and gestures.

Courtesy: Vatican News