Viewing the Memorial Service of Pope Francis

Pope Francis, departing from this life at the age of 88, shall be mourned and commemorated with a funeral service that harmonizes the Catholic Church's time-honored traditions with the pope's personal humble wishes. Scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. local time in Vatican City (equating to 4 a.m. Eastern and 1 a.m. Pacific), the service is accessible for viewing on CBS News.

Broadcast and Streaming Details for the Funeral

For those wishing to observe the funeral service, CBS television stations will commence their coverage starting at 4 a.m. Eastern Time. The live broadcast will feature Norah O'Donnell and John Dickerson of CBS News, overlooking the iconic St. Peter’s Basilica.

Furthermore, complete coverage will be available via streaming through the video player on CBS’s digital platforms. Viewers can also download the CBS app for uninterrupted access on their devices.

Rebroadcast Information

If you miss the live airing, the full memorial service will be replayed following its conclusion, around 7 a.m. Eastern Time, allowing audiences to partake in the solemn occasion at their convenience.

Timing and Duration of the Funeral Service

The official proceedings start at 10 a.m. local time at the Vatican, translating to an early morning 4 a.m. Eastern and 1 a.m. Pacific in the United States. The primary service at St. Peter’s Basilica is expected to last approximately 90 minutes, succeeded by a solemn procession to a church notable for its significance to the late Pope.

Comparatively, Pope Francis’ predecessor's funeral spanned two hours, while Pope John Paul II's services extended over two and a half hours in 2005.

Procession Schedule to the Final Resting Place

The procession following the service will see Pope Francis’ coffin moved to the historic Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome. Lying fondly close to his heart, this is where he often prayed before and after his international travels. The church, regarded as a fifth-century relic, will host a shorter, conclusive service before the pope's burial.

His place of rest will reflect his desire for simplicity: interred in the earth, minimally adorned, inscribed only with ‘Franciscus’ to honor his namesake, St. Francis of Assisi.

Future Papal Conclave

The papal conclave, the cardinal assembly to elect Pope Francis' successor, is yet to be scheduled but traditionally starts 15 to 20 days post-demise. This indicates a possible timeline for the proceedings to begin in early or mid-May, aligning with ecclesiastical regulations.