The images of Pope Francis lying motionless in his coffin reveal far more than meets the eye, with each detail telling a tale.
The late pontiff’s final resting place defies decades of Vatican precedent, from the unconventional casket to the personal artefacts put alongside his body—at his own desire.
As the world bids Pope Francis farewell, his upcoming funeral will reflect the very beliefs he championed his whole life. Pope Francis’ last resting place is a powerful monument to his legacy of simplicity, humility, and unfailing caring for the marginalised.
And the personal belongings he brought with him will serve as a final remembrance of a life dedicated to service, love, and transformation.
The adored 88-year-old pontiff died on Monday from a terrible stroke that caused irreparable heart failure. After weeks of fighting pneumonia, the Argentine-born spiritual leader passed away peacefully at the Vatican.
What is inside the Pope’s casket?
On Tuesday, the Vatican released the first photographs of Pope Francis reclining in repose. The photographs revealed the meaningful objects he had with him on his final voyage.
His coffin stood quietly, guarded by ceremonial guards, as Vatican officials and members of his family gathered for a solemn and dignified farewell.
In the photographs, Francis is shown lying in an open casket clad in scarlet robes, which represent martyrdom and Christ’s blood. A rosary is delicately folded into his palms.
His mitre (traditional papal hat), crozier (pastoral staff), and a collection of coins created during his papacy—a centuries-old practice symbolising his time as the Vicar of Christ—are also inside the coffin.
In the coffin is also a rogito, a sealed legal document that summarises his life and pontificate. The Pope wears a broken Fisherman’s Ring on his right hand, which is ceremonially destroyed before burial to mark the end of a pope’s reign.
The destruction also ensures that the ring, which was initially used to seal the pope’s personal letters, cannot be misused after his death.
A glimpse at the casket.
Pope Francis’ death represents a significant shift from long-standing papal burial practices, as evidenced by a glimpse at his coffin alone.
Francis chose simplicity over the costly triple coffins of cypress, lead, and oak used by previous popes, such as the late Pope Benedict.
His coffin is a simple timber structure lined with zinc, signifying his dedication to humility. The traditional papal goodbye, in which the Pope’s body is placed on a catafalque inside St. Peter’s Basilica for public mourning, has also been discontinued.
Instead, Francis’ body will lie inside the casket with the lid lifted, allowing mourners to pay their respects in a more intimate and personal manner.
For the first time in nearly a century, a pope will be buried outside the Vatican.
Pope Francis will be buried at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome’s Esquilino neighbourhood, rather than in the grottoes beneath St. Peter’s, which contain the tombs of about 90 popes.
When and where does the funeral take place?
Pope Francis’ funeral will be held on Saturday, April 26 at 10 a.m. local time in St. Peter’s Square, the Vatican confirmed.
Following the public service, his body will be taken to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome’s Esquilino neighbourhood, where Francis once stated he wanted to be laid to rest.
His remains will lie in state at St. Peter’s Basilica beginning on Wednesday. As the body is taken into the basilica, the solemn chant of the Litany of Saints will fill the air, conducted by the camerlengo at the head of the procession. Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, who was appointed by Pope Francis in 2019, now serves as the camerlengo.
Pope Francis’ remains will not be placed on a high bier, breaking with longstanding convention. Instead, his plain wooden casket lays on the floor, facing the pews, with the Paschal candle nearby as a calm reminder of faith and light.
As the world mourns Pope Francis’ death, the subtle, intimate elements — from his humble wooden casket to the understated ceremony — scream loudly.
In death, like in life, he chose simplicity, kindness, and a departure from tradition. And such decisions may define his legacy more than any spectacular parade could.
