The images of Pope Francis lying motionless in his casket divulge much more than what initially meets the gaze — and each aspect narrates a tale.
From the unconventional coffin to the personal possessions arranged beside his remains, the departed pontiff’s final resting presentation challenges centuries-old Vatican customs — at his personal behest.
As the globe bids farewell to Pope Francis, his forthcoming interment will mirror the very principles he advocated during his existence. Acknowledged for his modesty, humility, and steadfast concern for the underprivileged, Pope Francis’s ultimate resting site is a poignant testament to the enduring influence he imparts.
Moreover, the personal belongings he opted to take along will serve as a concluding reminder of a life devoted to service, affection, and transformation.
The revered 88-year-old pontiff departed on Monday following a catastrophic stroke leading to irreversible cardiac failure. After weeks of combatting pneumonia, the Argentine-born spiritual guide breathed his last peacefully at the Vatican.
What rests within the Pope’s casket?
On Tuesday, the Vatican disclosed the initial impactful photographs of Pope Francis lying in repose. The pictures unveiled the significant items positioned with him for his ultimate voyage.
Held in vigil by ceremonial sentinels, his casket stood silently as Vatican officials and members of his household assembled for an intimate and reverent valediction.
In the disclosed images, Francis lies in an exposed casket adorned in crimson garments — a hue denoting martyrdom and the blood of Christ. Clasped gently in his hands is a rosary.
Equally housed within the casket are his mitre (conventional papal headwear), his crozier (the shepherd’s staff), and an assortment of coins minted during his papacy — an age-old custom emblematic of his tenure as the Vicar of Christ.
Contained within the casket is also a rogito, a sealed lawful declaration summarizing his life and pontificate. On his right hand, the Pope wears the shattered Fisherman’s Ring, which is ritually obliterated before internment to signify the conclusion of a pope’s reign.
This annihilation also serves to secure that the ring cannot be exploited after the pope’s demise, as it was initially devised as a seal for the pope’s private correspondence.
An examination of the casket
Pope Francis’s demise marks a significant deviation from the longstanding customs of papal obsequies, and a mere glance at his casket is ample to discern this.
In contrast to prior pontiffs, such as the deceased Pope Benedict, who were laid to rest in ornate triple coffins crafted from cypress, lead, and oak, Francis opted for simplicity.
His casket is a unassuming wooden framework lined with zinc, mirroring his dedication to modesty. Additionally, the conventional papal farewell, where the Pope’s remains would be situated on a catafalque inside St. Peter’s Basilica for communal mourning, has been forsaken.
Instead, Francis’s remains will rest within the casket with its covering removed, urging mourners to honor him in a more personal and intimate manner.
Furthermore, for the first time in over a century, a pope will be interred beyond the confines of the Vatican.
Pope Francis will be laid to rest at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome’s Esquilino quarter, as opposed to in the crypts beneath St. Peter’s, where the sepulchers of approximately 90 pontiffs are housed.
When and where is the burial?
The Vatican has authenticated that Pope Francis’ burial is scheduled for Saturday, April 26 at 10 AM local time in St. Peter’s Square.
Subsequent to the public ceremony, his remains will be transported to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome’s Esquilino quarter — the identical location where Francis once expressed his desire to be entombed.
Commencing Wednesday, his remains will lie in repose in St. Peter’s Basilica. As the remains are conveyed into the basilica, the reverential intonation of the Litany of Saints will permeate the ambiance, led by the camerlengo at the forefront of the procession. Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, appointed by Pope Francis in 2019, currently fulfills the role of camerlengo.
Contrary to age-old practice, Pope Francis’ remains will not be elevated on a bier. Instead, his simple wooden casket lies at ground level, facing the pews, with the Paschal candle situated nearby — a subtle symbol of faith and illumination.
As the globe continues to grieve the loss of Pope Francis, it is the subdued, personal facets — from his unadorned wooden casket to the streamlined ceremony — that resonate the strongest.
In life, as in death, he selected simplicity, empathy, and a deviation from tradition. And it is these decisions that may define his legacy more profoundly than any grand procession ever could.
