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Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, has left a lasting legacy not only through his teachings but also by reshaping the traditions surrounding papal funerals. In a move reflecting his lifelong commitment to humility and simplicity, he personally revised the funeral rites for popes, ensuring his own would break from centuries of elaborate customs.
A Departure from Tradition
Historically, deceased popes were interred in a sequence of three coffins—cypress, lead, and oak—and displayed atop a catafalque in St. Peter’s Basilica. Pope Francis chose to forgo these practices. Instead, his body will lie in a single, zinc-lined wooden coffin, open for public viewing in St. Peter’s Basilica, without the traditional raised platform. This change emphasizes his role as a humble pastor rather than a figure of worldly power .
Simplified Funeral Rites
The revised funeral protocol, approved by Francis in April 2024, includes several notable changes: 
• Verification of Death: Conducted in his private chapel instead of his bedroom.
• Immediate Placement in Coffin: His body is placed directly into the coffin without intermediate steps.
• Public Viewing: The faithful can pay their respects as his body lies in the open coffin, without a catafalque.
• Elimination of Multiple Coffins: Only a single, simple coffin is used, moving away from the traditional three-coffin practice .
These modifications aim to reflect the pope’s desire for a dignified yet modest farewell, aligning with his vision of the papacy as a service rather than a position of grandeur.
Burial at Basilica of St. Mary Major
Breaking with a tradition that dates back over a century, Pope Francis will not be buried in St. Peter’s Basilica. Instead, he chose the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, a site of personal significance where he often prayed before and after his apostolic journeys. This decision underscores his deep devotion to the Virgin Mary and his preference for simplicity .
Funeral and Global Mourning
The funeral Mass is scheduled for Saturday, April 26, at 10:00 a.m. in St. Peter’s Square, officiated by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re. Dignitaries from around the world, including U.S. President Donald Trump and Argentine President Javier Milei, are expected to attend . A nine-day mourning period, known as Novemdiales, will follow, during which the global Catholic community will honor his memory.
Legacy of Humility
Pope Francis’s choices for his funeral rites are a testament to his enduring commitment to humility and service. By simplifying the ceremonies and focusing on pastoral elements, he has set a precedent that may influence how future papal funerals are conducted, emphasizing the spiritual over the ceremonial.
Attached is a news artcle regarding pope Francis open casket at the mourning of pope Francis as the Vatican show opens
https://news.sky.com/story/pope-francis-dies-vatican-catholic-mourn-funeral-st-peters-12846482
Article written and configured by Christopher Stanley
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