When is Pope Francis' funeral? Cardinals set date, along with public viewing

VATICAN CITY - Funeral arrangements have been set for Pope Francis, history’s first Latin American pope from Argentina, who died early Monday.

The cardinals met for the first time on Tuesday in the Vatican’s synod hall to chart out the next steps before a conclave begins to choose the next pope. 

Here’s what to know about Pope Francis’ funeral and public viewing:

When is Pope Francis’ funeral?

What we know:

The cardinals set the funeral for Saturday at 10 a.m. local time (4 a.m. ET) in St. Peter’s Square, to be celebrated by the dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re.

Dig deeper:

U.S. President Donald Trump announced he and first lady Melania Trump plan to attend Saturday’s funeral, and Argentine President Javier Milei is also expected. 

The first images of Francis' body were released Tuesday, showing him in the wooden casket, in red vestments and his bishop’s miter, with the Vatican secretary of state praying over him in the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta hotel where he lived and died.

Public viewing will begin on Wednesday, the Vatican said. 

FILE - Pope Francis waves to thousands of followers as he arrives at the Manila Cathedral on Jan. 16, 2015, in Manila, Philippines. (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)

The backstory:

Francis died on Easter Monday at age 88. He had been recovering in his apartment after being hospitalized for five weeks with pneumonia. He made his last public appearance on Sunday, delivering an Easter blessing and making what would be his final greeting to followers from his popemobile, looping around St. Peter's Square. He also met with U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Sunday.

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Pope Francis’ cause of death

What they're saying:

Francis died of a cerebral stroke, the Vatican said. Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, the head of the Vatican’s health department, said that the stroke put him into a coma and led to irreversible heart failure.

Where Pope Francis will be buried

What's next:

In his final will, Francis confirmed he would be buried at St. Mary Major basilica, which is outside the Vatican and home to his favorite icon of the Virgin Mary. Before and after every foreign trip, Francis would go to the basilica to pray before the Byzantine-style painting that features an image of Mary, draped in a blue robe, holding the infant Jesus, who in turn holds a jeweled golden book.