The funeral of Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21 at the age of 88, will take place on Saturday, April 26. This was announced by the press office of the Holy See. The funeral ceremony for the Pontiff will be unconventional and modest. Pope Francis had previously said: “The ritual was too lavish.” Everything should “be done with dignity” he wanted to be treated “like any Christian.” The structure of the funeral remains canonical, but according to the changes made by Pope Francis to the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis (the Roman Pontiff’s funeral order), the official declaration of the Pope’s death no longer takes place in the room of the deceased, but in the chapel. Additionally, the body of the deceased Pope will be placed directly on the bier immediately after death. Devotees can pay their respects to the open casket of the late Pope in St. Peter’s Basilica. The papal staff will no longer be placed next to the casket. The day before the funeral mass, the casket will be closed. Instead of the three coffins made of cypress, lead and then oak, the Pope will be placed directly in a metal casket, which will then be surrounded by a wooden casket. Moreover, Popes are allowed to leave instructions for their burial at a different location than St. Peter’s Basilica. Pope Francis expressed in his will just one wish: Unlike many predecessors, the Pope will not be buried in the Vatican, but in the Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome. The late head of the Roman Catholic Church entrusted his life and his priestly and episcopal office to “the Mother of our Lord, the Holy Mary” throughout his life. He wrote: “Therefore, I ask that my mortal remains rest in the papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in anticipation of the day of the Resurrection.” Pope Francis will not be the first Pope to rest in Santa Maria Maggiore. Clement IX (1667-1669) is also buried there. The costs of the funeral of Pope Francis are also mentioned in the will. They had already been covered in advance, explained the Pope, referring to a donor whose name he did not reveal. After the death of Pope Francis, the Vatican now has to decide on his successor.
Last Wishes: Pope Francis Plans Simple Funeral Like ‘Every Christian’
