From the moment a pope passes, a meticulously choreographed sequence of rites and rituals unfolds, previous the conclave that can finally select his successor. These ceremonies, steeped in custom, embody the formal affirmation of dying, the general public viewing of the papal stays, the funeral mass, and eventually, burial.
Pope Francis, who died on Monday, had already reshaped a few of these customs final 12 months. His revisions streamlined the funeral rituals, emphasising his position as a bishop, a shepherd amongst his flock. He additionally paved the way in which for burial exterior the Vatican partitions, reflecting his private preferences. Regardless of these modifications, the elemental components of the transition stay, together with three key moments noticed between a pope’s dying and his interment.
The reforms are integrated into the slim purple quantity, Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis,Latin for “Ceremony of Burial for Roman Pontiffs”.
Whereas popes typically tinker with the principles regulating the conclave that elects their successor, a revision of the papal funeral rites hadn’t been undertaken since 2000.
The adjustments grew to become crucial after Francis expressed his personal needs, and after Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI died on 31 December 2022. For Benedict, the Vatican needed to work out the novelty of a funeral for the primary retired pope in 600 years.
Just a few months later, Francis revealed he was working with the Vatican’s grasp of liturgical ceremonies, Archbishop Diego Ravelli, to overtake the complete e-book of rites to simplify them.

In explaining the reforms, Ravelli stated the adjustments aimed “to stress much more that the Roman Pontiff’s funeral is that of a pastor and disciple of Christ and never of a robust man of this world”.
The declaration of dying
The three principal stations, or moments, happen first in his house, then in St Peter’s Basilica, after which within the place of burial.
The reform permits for the formal affirmation of dying to happen in Francis’ private chapel slightly than his bed room. It’s unclear why – the change could also be extra sensible than something since Francis selected to stay in a small suite within the Vatican’s Santa Marta resort slightly than the Apostolic Palace. He had a private chapel at Santa Marta.
Upon the pope’s dying, the top of the Vatican well being service examines the physique, ascertains the reason for dying and writes a report. The physique is wearing white.
The physique rests within the pope’s private chapel for the ritual pronouncement of dying, presided over by the camerlengo, the Vatican official who runs the Holy See administration between the dying or resignation of 1 pope and the election of one other. The camerlengo is American Cardinal Kevin Farrell, one among Francis’ most trusted aides.
In a change from the previous, the ceremony now not requires the physique to be positioned within the conventional three coffins manufactured from cypress, lead and oak. Now, the pope’s physique is positioned in a wood coffin, with a zinc coffin inside. The pope is wearing purple liturgical vestments, his mitre – the standard headdress of bishops – and the pallium woolen stole, a form of scarf. The Pasqual candle, a big, embellished candle used at Easter, is positioned close by.
The camerlengo drafts the formal declaration of dying, attaching the certificates that has been ready by the well being service chief.
The grasp of liturgical celebrations, Ravelli, then decides when different devoted will pay their respects earlier than the coffin is moved to St Peter’s Basilica for public viewing.
When the physique is introduced into the basilica, the Litany of Saints chant is sung. The camerlengo leads the procession.
In one other change, the pope’s physique is now not positioned on an elevated bier. Relatively, the simplified wood coffin is positioned going through the pews, with the Pasqual candle close by.
The sealing of the coffin
The evening earlier than the funeral, the camerlengo presides over the closing and sealing of the coffin, within the presence of different senior cardinals. A white fabric is positioned over the pope’s face.
A bag containing cash minted throughout his papacy is positioned within the coffin together with a one-page written account of his papacy, identified in Italian as a rogito, a phrase indicating an official deed. It’s learn aloud by the grasp of liturgical ceremonies after which rolled up and slipped inside a cylindrical tube that’s positioned contained in the coffin. One other copy is saved within the Vatican archives. The covers of each the zinc coffin and the wood one bear a cross and the papal coat of arms.

Francis’ coat of arms, which he saved from when he was bishop, incorporates a protect and the monogram of his Jesuit order, with the phrases “Miserando atque eligendo,” Latin for “Having had mercy, he known as him.” It comes from an episode within the Bible when Christ picks a seemingly unworthy particular person to comply with him.
The Pope’s funeral
The funeral is presided over by the dean of the Faculty of Cardinals or, if that isn’t attainable, by the vice-dean or one other senior cardinal. The present dean is Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, 91. The vice-dean is Argentine Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, 81. Francis earlier this 12 months prolonged each of their five-year phrases slightly than appoint new ones.
Francis’ reform permits for burial exterior the Vatican, with the camerlengo presiding. Numerous seals are impressed on the coffin, and it’s positioned contained in the tomb.
Francis has stated he desires to be buried not in St Peter’s Basilica or its grottoes, the place most popes are buried, however within the St Mary Main Basilica throughout city. His selection displays his veneration of an icon of the Virgin Mary that’s situated there, the Salus Populi Romani (Salvation of the folks of Rome).
After each international journey, Francis would go to the basilica to hope earlier than the Byzantine-style portray that options a picture of Mary, draped in a blue gown, holding the toddler Jesus who in flip holds a jewelled golden e-book.
“It’s my nice devotion,” Francis instructed Mexico’s N+ in revealing his future burial plans. “The place is already ready.”
With the burial, the Catholic Church begins 9 days of official mourning, often called the “novemdiales” and the conclave begins.
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