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South China Morning Post
23-04-2025
- General
- South China Morning Post
What happens after a pope dies? Explaining the rites, rituals, funeral and burial
Well before the conclave to elect a successor, the death of a pope sets off a series of carefully orchestrated rites and rituals, including the certification of death, public display of his body for the faithful to pay their respects, and a funeral and burial. Pope Francis, who died on Monday, revised various rites last year, simplifying the funeral rituals to emphasise his role as a mere bishop and allowing for burial outside the Vatican in keeping with his wishes. But the core elements remain, including the three key moments that must be observed between the death of a pope and his burial. Pope Francis dies at 88: first Latin American pope advocated for peace and compassion Why were changes to the funeral rites necessary? While it is common for popes to adjust the rules regulating the conclave that elects their successor, there had not been a revision of the papal funeral rites since 2000. The changes became necessary when Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI died on December 31, 2022, and the Vatican had to work out a funeral for the first retired pope in 600 years. A few months later, Francis revealed he was working with the Vatican's master of liturgical ceremonies, Archbishop Diego Ravelli, to overhaul and simplify the entire book of rites. Explaining the reforms, Ravelli said the changes aimed 'to emphasise even more that the Roman Pontiff's funeral is that of a pastor and disciple of Christ and not of a powerful man of this world'. The three main stations – or moments – occur first in his home, then in St Peter's Basilica and finally in the burial place. The reform allows the formal confirmation of death to occur in Francis' personal chapel rather than his bedroom. The change may be due to practicality: Francis chose to live in a small suite in the Vatican's Santa Marta hotel rather than the Apostolic Palace and has a personal chapel at Santa Marta. A woman sits in St Peter's Square as people wait to pay their respects to the late Pope Francis. Photo: AP The declaration of death Upon the pope's death, the head of the Vatican health service examines the body, establishes the cause of death and writes a report. The body is dressed in white and rests in the pope's personal chapel for the ritual pronouncement of death, presided over by the camerlengo, the Vatican official who runs the Holy See administration between the death or resignation of one pope and the election of another. The camerlengo is American Cardinal Kevin Farrell, one of Francis' most trusted aides. The rite no longer requires the body to be placed in the traditional three coffins made of cypress, lead and oak. Now, the pope's body is placed in a wooden coffin with a zinc coffin inside. The pope is dressed in red liturgical vestments, his mitre – the traditional headdress of bishops – and the pallium woollen stole, a kind of scarf. The Pasqual candle, a large, decorated candle used at Easter, is placed nearby. The camerlengo drafts the formal declaration of death, attaching the certificate prepared by the health service chief. The master of liturgical celebrations, Ravelli, then decides when other faithful can pay their respects before the coffin is moved to St Peter's Basilica for public viewing. January 2023: Pope Francis, head of the Catholic Church, pays tribute to recently-deceased pope emeritus Benedict In the basilica When the body is brought into the basilica, the Litany of Saints chant is sung. The camerlengo leads the procession. Instead of placing the pope's body on an elevated moving frame, the simplified wooden coffin will face the pews, with the Pasqual candle nearby. The sealing of the coffin The night before the funeral, the camerlengo presides over the closing and sealing of the coffin in the presence of other senior cardinals. A white cloth is placed over the pope's face. A bag containing coins minted during his papacy is placed in the coffin along with a one-page written account of his papacy – known in Italian as a rogito, an official deed. It is read aloud by the master of liturgical ceremonies and then rolled up and slipped inside a cylindrical tube placed inside the coffin. Another copy is kept in the Vatican archives. The covers of both the zinc coffin and the wooden one bear a cross and the papal coat of arms. Francis' coat of arms, which he kept from when he was bishop, features a shield and the monogram of his Jesuit order, with the words miserando atque eligendo, Latin for 'Having had mercy, he called him'. It comes from an episode in the Gospel where Christ picks a seemingly unworthy person to follow him. Faithful and well-wishers will be able to pay their respects to the spiritual leader, who died on 21 April 2025, aged 88, until his funeral on 26 April. Photo: EPA-EFE The funeral and burial The funeral is presided over by the dean of the College of Cardinals or, if that is not possible, by the vice dean or another senior cardinal. Various seals are impressed on the coffin before it is placed inside the tomb. Francis' reform allows for burial outside the Vatican and he had said he wants to be buried in the St Mary Major Basilica across town. His choice reflects his veneration of an icon of the Virgin Mary that is located there.
ITV News
23-04-2025
- Politics
- ITV News
Pope Francis' body to lie in state in St Peter's Basilica
Pope Francis' body will be transferred to St Peter's Basilica on Wednesday morning, where mourners will be able to pay their respects to the late pontiff. Thousands of people are expected to make their way to the Vatican to pay tribute to the head of the Catholic Church, who died on Easter Monday following a stroke that led to heart failure. He had been in poor health and spent several weeks in hospital battling pneumonia. Francis' body will be on display in an open casket inside the church until his funeral on Saturday in St Peter's Square. He will remain there until his burial at St Mary Major in Rome later that day. Several world leaders and royals are set to attend the funeral, including the Prince of Wales, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Thousands of mourners have already flocked to the Vatican, reciting prayers and lighting candles as they remembered the late Pope. On Tuesday, the Vatican shared the details of his final hours. They said Francis was hesitant about appearing on the balcony on Easter Sunday, asking his personal nurse Massimiliano Strappetti, "Do you think I can manage it?". Once in St. Peter's Square, he embraced the crowd, the Vatican said. Tired but content, Pope Francis afterwards thanked his personal healthcare assistant, saying, 'Thank you for bringing me back to the Square.' He then rested on Sunday afternoon and had a quiet dinner, falling into a coma shortly afterwards. The Vatican added that according to those who were with him in his final moments, he did not suffer. On Tuesday the Vatican released photos showing him in a wooden casket, dressed in red vestments and his bishop's miter, with the Vatican secretary of state, Pietro Parolin, a frontrunner to succeed him, praying over his body. In changes made by Francis last year, his body was not placed in three wooden coffins, as it had been for previous popes. Rather, Francis was placed in a simplified wooden coffin with a zinc coffin inside. Once moved to St. Peter's Basilica, his coffin will not be put on an elevated bier, but will be placed facing the pews, with the Pasqual candle nearby. In his testament released on Monday, Pope Francis had expressed his wish to be buried outside the Vatican, in Rome's Basilica of Saint Mary Major and "without particular decoration" in a simple underground tomb with only 'Franciscus' written on it. He will be the first pontiff to be buried away from the Vatican in more than a century. His burial will be followed by nine days of mourning, during which cardinals will arrive in Rome to
ITV News
22-04-2025
- Politics
- ITV News
The Pope's funeral will take place on Saturday morning, the Vatican announces
The late Pope's body was moved into a coffin in his private chapel on Monday evening. The Vatican has announced Pope Francis' funeral will take place at on Saturday, with a mass in St. Peter's Square. The announcement was made as cardinals met at the Vatican on Tuesday, their first gathering since Francis' death. The cardinals also announced that the public viewing of the pope's body in St. Peter's Basilica will begin on Wednesday, after his casket is taken by procession from the Vatican hotel where he lived. It comes as the Vatican released the first images of the late Pope Francis since announcing his death on Monday. The body has been laid in state in his private chapel of the Domus Santa Marta hotel. The photos showed him in a wooden casket, dressed in red vestments and his bishop's miter, with the Vatican secretary of state Pietro Parolin, a frontrunner to succeed him, praying over his body. In changes made by Francis last year, his body was not placed in three wooden coffins, as it had been for previous popes. Rather, Francis was placed in a simplified wooden coffin with a zinc coffin inside. Once moved to St. Peter's Basilica, his coffin will not be put on an elevated bier, but will be placed facing the pews, with the Pasqual candle nearby. The Vatican confirmed the "rite of the certification" of the Pope's death and his placement in the coffin took place on Monday a ceremony that lasted just under an hour, a declaration of death was read aloud and the act was validated by Cardinal Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church. The doors of the papal apartment where Pope Francis lived were also sealed with ribbon and wax stamps. Funeral arrangements for the late Pope Francis are being confirmed by cardinals in Rome, as they meet for the first time sine the pontiff's death. His death now starts a sequence of events which will see his coffin taken to the St. Peter's Basilica for public viewing followed by a funeral mass. In his testament released on Monday, Pope Francis had expressed his wish to be buried outside the Vatican, in Rome's Basilica of Saint Mary Major and "without particular decoration" in a simple underground tomb with only 'Franciscus' written on Jorge Mario Bergoglio, elected as the head of the Catholic Church on 13 March 2013, will be the first pontiff to be buried away from the Vatican in more than a century. His burial will be followed by nine days of mourning, during which cardinals will arrive in Rome to elect the next pope in a process known as a conclave. The Vatican announced Pope Francis' passing on Monday at the age of 88 after a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure following weeks of health issues. The Pope was last seen in public on Easter Sunday, where he blessed thousands of people in St. Peter's Square. He was elected pope in 2013, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. Originally born in Argentina as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, he chose Francis as his Papal name in honour of Saint Francis of Assisi. Francis was the first pope from South America and the first from the Jesuit order - a Roman Catholic order known for its educational and charitable works. Francis had long battled health problems; he had part of one lung removed as a young man and suffered long bouts of acute bronchitis in winter. Within hours of the announcement of his death, crowds gathered in the Vatican to pay tribute to the Pope as cathedrals around the world announced special services to celebrate his life. King Charles, who met with the Pope earlier this month, said he and his wife were "deeply saddened" following his death. In a statement issued on Monday, the King said: "His Holiness will be remembered for his compassion, his concern for the unity of the Church and for his tireless commitment to the common causes of all people of faith, and to those of goodwill who work for the benefit of others." Prime Minister Keir Starmer paid tribute, saying he was a "Pope for the poor, the downtrodden and the forgotten. He was close to the realities of human fragility, meeting Christians around the world facing war, famine, persecution and poverty. Yet he never lost hope of a better world." Vincent Nichols, the Archbishop of Westminster and the most senior Catholic in England of Wales, said: "The death of Pope Francis brings great sadness to so many around the world, both within the Catholic Church and in societies in general." "A voice proclaiming the innate dignity of every human being, especially those who are poor or marginalised, is now silent. The legacy he leaves is one we must seek to carry forward and strengthen." In America, President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social: 'Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him!' He also order that all American flags will be flown at half-mast over the White House, government buildings and military posts across the country and its overseas territories until sunset. US Vice President JD Vance, who met with the Pope on Sunday, the day before he died, paid tribute saying: "My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him. 'I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill. Pope Francis will be remembered by many as a reformer of the Catholic Church. The son of Italian immigrants rose to prominence in Argentina after strongly criticising capitalism during a financial crisis which rocked the country in 2001. He often stressed the role of the Church in serving the poor and marginalised, and was seen to soften the Church's line towards issues such as divorce. He also promoted unity between Catholics, non-Catholics and non-Christians and apologised for the child abuse scandal in the Church. As tributes continue to be made by mourners around the world, eyes will soon turn to the late Pope's successor and in which direction the Catholic church will travel under his leadership.
New York Post
22-04-2025
- General
- New York Post
Vatican releases images of Pope Francis in open coffin for Confirmation of the Death of the Pontiff ceremony
The Vatican has released images of Pope Francis being laid out in an open coffin ahead of the Confirmation of the Death of the Pontiff ceremony. His Holiness died Monday after suffering a stroke that led to irreversible heart failure following a weeks-long hospitalization with pneumonia. He was 88. The pontiff's body had been placed in the coffin late Monday night, with Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo — the 'chamberlain' who essentially acts as head of the Vatican between the end of a papacy and the start of the next — reading the official declaration of death aloud in an intimate ceremony. Advertisement 9 The Vatican has released images of Pope Francis being laid out in an open coffin ahead of the Confirmation of the Death of the Pontiff ceremony. via REUTERS A seal was also placed on the papal apartment in the Apostolic Palace, as well as the Chapel of Santa Marta, where he had lived. In images shared by the Vatican Tuesday, the pontiff can be seen lying in his vestments with a rosary in hand. Advertisement Ceremonial guards can be seen standing on both sides of the coffin as Vatican officials and members of the pontifical household attended the private viewing. The official Lying-in-State period is set to begin Wednesday, which welcomes the public to enter St Peter's Basilica to pay their final respects. 9 His Holiness died Monday after suffering a stroke that led to irreversible heart failure following a weeks-long hospitalization with pneumonia. He was 88. VATICAN MEDIA/AFP via Getty Images 9 The pontiff's body had been placed in the coffin late Monday night. VATICAN MEDIA/AFP via Getty Images Advertisement 'The transfer of the body of the Holy Father to the Vatican Basilica for the homage of all the faithful could take place on Wednesday morning,' said Matteo Bruni, the Vatican spokesman. Cardinals gathered in the Vatican Tuesday morning to kickstart funeral plans, as well as the elaborate ceremony which marks the end of the papacy ahead of the next. The process to select a new pope — called a conclave — generally takes place between 15 and 20 days after the pontiff's death. 9 In images shared by the Vatican Tuesday, the pontiff can be seen lying in his vestments with a rosary in hand. VATICAN MEDIA/AFP via Getty Images Advertisement 9 Ceremonial guards can be seen standing on both sides of the coffin as Vatican officials and members of the pontifical household attended the private viewing. VATICAN MEDIA/AFP via Getty Images The first meeting of the Congregation of Cardinals is expected to commence Tuesday morning in the Vatican's synod hall. Later on, the congregation will determine when the Pope's body can be moved into St. Peter's Basilica for public viewing. Once there, his coffin will not be placed on an elevated bier. Instead, the public will see his coffin facing the pews alongside the Pasqual candle. Here's how Pope Francis' successor will be chosen: 9 The College of Cardinals will convene at the Vatican in the next several weeks to elect the new pope. Mike Guillen/NY Post Design 9 White smoke will be sent from the Sistine Chapel's ceiling to announce that a new pope has been elected. Mike Guillen/NY Post Design As for the funeral, Pope Francis will be buried between Friday and Sunday, under norms he approved last year. He had also made plans for his body to be placed in a simple wooden coffin with a zinc coffin inside — a stark contrast to the three wooden coffins previous pontiffs had opted for. Read more on Pope Francis' death Advertisement 'As I sense the approaching twilight of my earthly life, and with firm hope in eternal life, I wish to set out my final wishes solely regarding the place of my burial,' the Pope said in his final testament ahead of his death. 'Throughout my life, and during my ministry as a priest and bishop, I have always entrusted myself to the, mother of our lord, the blessed Virgin Mary.' 9 The official Lying-in-State period is set to begin Wednesday, which welcomes the public to enter St Peter's Basilica to pay their final respects. via REUTERS 9 Cardinals arrive at the Vatican, following the death of Pope Francis. REUTERS Advertisement He continued, 'For this reason, I ask that my mortal remains rest – awaiting the day of the resurrection – in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major. 'I wish my final earthly journey to end precisely in this ancient Marian sanctuary, where I would always stop to pray at the beginning and end of every apostolic journey, confidently entrusting my intentions to the Immaculate Mother, and giving thanks for her gentle and maternal care.'
Daily Mail
22-04-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS The Pope at peace: Vatican issues pictures of Francis laid out in open coffin for Confirmation of the Death of the Pontiff ceremony
The body of Pope Francis has been laid out in open coffin at the Vatican for the Confirmation of the Death of the Pontiff ceremony. The rite confirming Francis' death and the placement of his body in the coffin took place last night at the Chapel of Santa Marta, the Vatican has said. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo, read the official declaration of death aloud in a ceremony lasting just under an hour. Seals were also placed on the papal apartment in the Apostolic Palace and on the apartment in Chapel of Santa Marta, where Francis had resided. Cardinals have assembled at the Vatican this morning to start planning Francis' funeral and the elaborate rituals marking the end of one papacy and start of the next. In the coming days, the Congregation of Cardinals will prepare for his burial, plan the conclave to elect his successor and make other decisions about running the Catholic Church. Francis died yesterday aged 88 after suffering a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure. He had been recovering in his apartment after being hospitalised for five weeks with pneumonia. He made his last public appearance on Sunday, delivering an Easter blessing and making what would be his final greeting to followers from his popemobile, looping around St. Peter's Square. Pope Francis in his open coffin during the rite of the Confirmation of the Death of the Pontiff at the Chapel of Santa Marta in The Vatican On Easter Sunday, the Pope had appeared on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica to deliver a blessing to 35,000 faithful in St Peter's Square The Vatican announced that the first meeting of the Congregation of Cardinals, the gathering of the cardinals currently in Rome, would occur at 9am (8am BST) today in the Vatican's synod hall. Most immediately, they will determine when his body can be moved into St. Peter's Basilica for public viewing - which could occur as soon as tomorrow morning. Under norms approved by Francis last year, his funeral and burial must occur between Friday and Sunday. The pope's formal apartments in the Apostolic Palace were sealed yesterday evening, following a centuries-old ritual. Irish-born Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who as camerlengo had the task of announcing Francis' death and confirming it once the cause was determined, presided over the ritual. Francis chose not to live in the palace, though, but in the Domus Santa Marta hotel on the other side of Vatican City. He died there and his body was transferred to the hotel chapel in the lobby, where a private viewing is being held today for Vatican officials and members of the pontifical household. In changes made by Francis last year, his body was not placed in three wooden coffins, as it had been for previous popes. Rather, Francis was placed in a simplified wooden coffin with a zinc coffin inside. Once in St. Peter's, his coffin will not be put on an elevated bier, but will just be be placed simply facing the pews, with the Pasqual candle nearby. The burial must take place between the fourth and sixth day after his death, meaning a likely date is Saturday or Sunday. President Donald Trump has announced he and first lady Melania Trump plan to attend. Argentine President Javier Milei is also expected. In his final will, Francis confirmed he would be buried at St. Mary Major basilica, which is outside the Vatican and home to his favourite icon of the Virgin Mary. Francis would go to the basilica to pray before the Byzantine-style painting that features an image of Mary, draped in a blue robe, holding the infant Jesus, who in turn holds a jewelled golden book. Francis stopped by the basilica on his way home from the Gemelli hospital on March 23, after his 38-day hospital stay, to deliver flowers to be placed before the icon. He returned April 12 to pray before the Madonna for the last time. The pontiff's funeral will be presided over by the dean of the College of Cardinals or, if that is not possible, by the vice dean or another senior cardinal. The current dean is Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, 91. The vice dean is Argentine Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, 81. Re and Farrell, the camerlengo, will have key roles in the coming days as they summon the cardinals and prepare for the conclave to elect Francis' successor. After the funeral, there are nine days of official mourning, known as the 'novendiali.' During this period, cardinals arrive in Rome to participate in meetings before the conclave to elect the next pope. To give everyone time to assemble, the conclave must begin 15-20 days after the 'sede vacante' - the 'vacant See' - is declared, although it can start sooner if the cardinals agree. Nuns and the Faithful attend a Rosary Prayer for the late Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City on April 21, 2025 Cardinal-electors will move into the accommodation within the Vatican, shutting out contact with the outside world. Once the conclave begins, they will gather in the Sistine Chapel to vote in secret sessions. Four rounds of balloting are taken every day until a candidate receives two-thirds of the vote. The result of each ballot is counted aloud and recorded by three cardinals. If no-one receives the necessary two-thirds of the vote, the ballots are burned in a stove near the chapel with a mixture of chemicals to produce black smoke. The process can go to multiple rounds with the same people theoretically getting the same number of votes each time as cardinals wait to see who loses support first. But slowly, cardinals who voted for someone who only received a very small number of votes are likely to add their vote to one of the stronger candidates in the next round. Factions may be able to make their views known during informal chats between votes, with key parts of Berger's film showing heated discussions among cardinals in the canteens and cinemas of the Vatican. When a cardinal receives the necessary two-thirds vote, the dean of the College of Cardinals asks him if he accepts his election. If he accepts, he chooses a papal name and is dressed in papal vestments before processing out to the balcony of St Peter's Basilica. The ballots of the final round are burned in a special stove, with chemicals producing white smoke to signal to the world the election of a new pope. Black smoke indicates that no pope has been elected, while white smoke indicates that the cardinals have chosen the next head of the Catholic Church. The senior cardinal deacon announces from the balcony of St Peter's 'Habemus Papam' - 'We have a pope' - before the new pope proceeds out and imparts his blessing on the city of Rome and the world. Farrell will carry out the administrative and financial duties of the Holy See until a new pope takes over. Cardinals, including the Archbishop of Westminster Cardinal Vincent Nichols, and Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe, from London, will take part in the vote for the next pope. Both aged 79, the pair are just below the cut-off for voting as part of the conclave. Only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote in a conclave - they are known as the cardinal electors and their number is limited to 120. Asked about the next pope at a press conference on Monday, Cardinal Nichols told reporters: 'He has to be a man of great inner strength, and I think great inner peace.' He added: 'I think those inner capacities of closeness to God and peace are the absolute essentials.' Cardinal Radcliffe said: 'I think that we always open ourselves to be surprised. All recent popes have been quite different from each other.' Bells tolled in chapels, churches and cathedrals around the world and flags flew at half staff in Italy, India, Taiwan and the US yesterday after Francis' death was announced by the Vatican camerlengo. Soccer matches in Italy and Argentina were suspended in honour of the Argentine pope who was a lifelong fan of the San Lorenzo soccer club. Tributes poured in from around the world on Monday, including from the King and other world leaders, with many praising the Pope for his advocacy for the marginalised, moral leadership and compassion. The ordinary faithful remembered his simplicity and humanity. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said Pope Francis had been 'a Pope for the poor, the downtrodden and the forgotten'. He was described by the King, whom he met in recent weeks, as someone who had 'profoundly touched the lives of so many'. In East Timor, where Francis' final outdoor Mass drew nearly half of the population last September, President Jose Ramos-Horta praised Francis' courage. 'Papa Francisco was a brave man who was not afraid to speak out against the rulers of the world who seek war, but do not want to seek peace,' Ramos-Horta said. 'He challenged the powerful to act with justice, called nations to welcome the stranger, and reminded us that our common home - this Earth - is a gift we must protect for future generations,' said Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu, who is Muslim. Nigeria is Africa's most populous country and has around 30 million Catholics, representing about 14 per cent of the total population. Pope Francis's final testament, in full 'As I sense the approaching twilight of my earthly life, and with firm hope in eternal life, I wish to set out my final wishes solely regarding the place of my burial. 'Throughout my life, and during my ministry as a priest and bishop, I have always entrusted myself to the Mother of Our Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary. For this reason, I ask that my mortal remains rest - awaiting the day of the Resurrection - in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major. 'I wish my final earthly journey to end precisely in this ancient Marian sanctuary, where I would always stop to pray at the beginning and end of every Apostolic Journey, confidently entrusting my intentions to the Immaculate Mother, and giving thanks for her gentle and maternal care. 'I ask that my tomb be prepared in the burial niche in the side aisle between the Pauline Chapel (Chapel of the Salus Populi Romani) and the Sforza Chapel of the Basilica, as shown in the attached plan. 'The tomb should be in the ground; simple, without particular ornamentation, bearing only the inscription: Franciscus. 'The cost of preparing the burial will be covered by a sum provided by a benefactor, which I have arranged to be transferred to the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major. I have given the necessary instructions regarding this to Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, Extraordinary Commissioner of the Liberian Basilica. 'May the Lord grant a fitting reward to all those who have loved me and who continue to pray for me. The suffering that has marked the final part of my life, I offer to the Lord, for peace in the world and for fraternity among peoples.'
