The world mourns the passing of Pope Francis, and ABC News is set to provide in-depth coverage of this historic moment, from the funeral ceremonies to the selection of his successor. Anchor David Muir will lead the network’s reporting live from the Vatican.
Beginning Saturday, April 26, at 3:30 a.m. EDT, ABC News will present “Celebrating Francis: The People’s Pope,” a dedicated broadcast covering the funeral proceedings. This special coverage will offer viewers a front-row seat to the events unfolding at the Vatican.
On Tuesday, April 22, at 10:01 p.m. EDT, ABC aired “Francis: The People’s Pope – ABC News Special,” examining the life and work of the pontiff. This special, produced by Muriel Pearson, David Sloan, and Wendy Krantz, is now available for streaming on Disney+ and Hulu. It examines Pope Francis’s journey, his leadership of the Catholic Church, and the key issues he addressed during his papacy.
The network’s comprehensive reporting will include the Pope lying in state, public viewings at St. Peter’s Basilica, and the upcoming papal conclave where the next Pope will be chosen. ABC News will also document the installation of the new Pope. Alongside David Muir, a team of correspondents including Deborah Roberts, James Longman, Terry Moran, and Maggie Rulli will report from the Vatican. Michael Strahan anchor coverage from the Vatican on Tuesday. ABC Owned Television Stations will also highlight local communities paying tribute to Pope Francis. A special half-hour streaming feature, also titled “Francis: The People’s Pope,” premieres on Friday, April 25, providing further context ahead of the funeral coverage.
