The Vatican's press department chief, Joaquin Navarro-Valls, said the cardinals decided on the funeral day schedule. He also confirmed that the pope would be buried under the basilica, as is customary for deceased popes.
The mass before the funeral will start at 10:00 hrs on Friday in front of the basilica.
Pope Karol Wojtyla's body is to be transferred from the Clementina hall to the basilica for public viewing later on Monday, first passing through St. Peter's Square.
As of 18:00 hrs today people will be able to pay their last respects to the pope whose body will lie in state in the basilica.