It will still be a show of ritual and custom, though, as the head of state and head of over a billion Catholics around the world.
Thousands of supporters, politicians, and well-known people have traveled to Vatican City to pay their respects since his passing.
When does the funeral begin?
Bishops and archbishops will begin congregating in the Constantine Wing, a hallway next to St. Peter’s Basilica, at 08:30 local time (07:30 BST).
Catholic priests will gather in St. Peter’s Square at the same moment.
The remains of Pope John Paul II are interred in the basilica’s Saint Sebastian Chapel, where cardinals and patriarchs of the Orthodox Church will gather thirty minutes later at 9:00 local time.
