Catholic Church: Francis gets more modest funeral

When a Pope dies, magnificent funerals in Rome have a tradition. So far they have followed unique and precise rituals. Before his death, however, Francis launched new rules for more modest mourning ceremonies for popes. That means: less pomp and simplified rites. And for him now also a burial outside the walls of the Vatican. Nevertheless, it will be a world event.

In April 2024, Francis approved a new burial regulations for Popes with the Latin title “Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis”, she was published in November. As Francis emphasized, the renewed rite should underline that the funeral of a Pope is that of a “shepherd and disciple of Christ and not that of a mighty man in the world”.

Pope Leichnam no longer on Katafalk

The changes provide for a tightening of the protocol. This eliminates the transfer of the body to the apostolic palace before it is laid out in St. Peter’s Basilica. In St. Peter’s Basilica, the dead Pope is no longer openly exhibited on a catafalc, a high bahre, but in a simple wooden coffin. Another innovation is that the papal bishop’s staff is no longer next to the coffin as a symbol of rule.

Last rest outside the Vatican walls

As before, the body is placed in a wooden coffin after the death of death, which also has a zinc coffin inside. However, there are no additional coffins made of lead and oak wood as at the funeral service for the German Pope Benedict XVI, who died on New Year’s Eve 2022 with 95. This means that only two instead of four coffins are used.

Even during his lifetime, Francis spoke several times of not wanting to be buried in the Vatican caves under St. Peter’s Basilica. At his own request, he will now find his last rest in the Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore, one of his favorite places in Rome, not far from the main train station. State guests, pilgrims and onlookers from all over the world are also expected at this place.