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Metro
26-04-2025
- General
- Metro
The ‘loving' note Pope Francis will be buried with inside his coffin revealed
The funeral service for Pope Francis, who died at the age of 88, is well underway, and the touching obituary the pontiff was entombed with has been revealed. The Pope's coffin was sealed hours ago, before being brought out of St Peter's Basilica into the square. With his body, an obituary describing his tenure as 266th Pope of the Catholic Church was placed with him, recalling how he was a 'simple and much-loved shepherd'. It added that Francis will 'remain in the heart of the Church and of humanity', after he 'travelled far and wide across the city on the underground and the bus, cooking his own meals because he felt one of the people'. 'Francis has left everyone a wonderful testimony of humanity, life of a saint and universal fatherhood,' it said. Ahead of his funeral on today, the camerlengo – appointed by the late Pope before his death – arranged for the pontiff's ring to be destroyed. Referred to as the Fisherman's Ring, the papal ring is unique to each Pope and cannot be replicated. The rings are designed and crafted in Rome by artisans who are members of the Roman Guild of Goldsmiths. Before 120 cardinals, senior members of the Catholic Church, convene in the Sistine Chapel for the conclave – the secret meeting at which a new pope will be elected – the Church enters a period called 'the vacant see'. Following the funeral, there are nine days of official mourning, with the conclave required to begin 15 to 20 days after the sede vacante is declared, although it can start sooner if the cardinals agree. More Trending Some of his testament reads: '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.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Donald Trump holds 'secret Zelensky meeting' ahead of arriving at Pope's funeral MORE: Over 200,000 mourners gather to bury 'much loved' Pope Francis at Vatican Funeral MORE: Why Trump might have to settle for a seat in third row at Pope Francis's funeral
Metro
22-04-2025
- Metro
Here's why Pope Francis's ring will be destroyed by a hammer
As Cardinals from across the globe will meet this morning for the first time since Pope Francis died, other traditions after a papal death are underway. The world will be watching Vatican City after the death of the 88-year-old pontiff on Easter Monday, but behind closed doors, centuries-old ceremonies are being carried out. One of those is the destruction of the Pope's famous ring, kissed by pilgrims and used to seal official documents. Ahead of his funeral on Saturday morning, the camerlengo – appointed by the late Pope before his death – will arrange the destruction of the pontiff's ring. The camerlengo has been named as Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, a boy from a working-class Irish family who has risen to become one of the most powerful men in the Vatican. A hammer will be used to destroy Pope Francis's ring, and for a very important reason. Referred to as the Fisherman's Ring, the papal ring is unique to each Pope and cannot be replicated. The rings are designed and crafted in Rome by artisans who are members of the Roman Guild of Goldsmiths. The piece of jewellery is traditionally worn on the pontiff's right hand, on the ring finger, and is often kissed by pilgrims who meet the Pope. But upon the pontiff's death, the ring is destroyed within the Vatican with a hammer and placed in the coffin of the deceased, along with a rosary. The destruction is done because traditionally, the ring was used to seal letters with wax and mark the official seal of the Pope on documents, so its destruction ensures no forgeries can be made. A new ring is cast for the new Pope after the conclave commences. Popes are normally buried in not one, but three coffins – wood, lead and another wooden one. But a humble man, Pope Francis specified that Popes should only be buried in a wooden coffin, lined in zinc and sealed by several Vatican officials. Before the coffin is closed, the Pope's face will be draped in a white cloth, and a bag of minted coins and a page about his time as Pope are placed in with the body. After the coffin is sealed, Psalm 42, which reads 'Like the deer that yearns for running streams, so my soul in longing for you, my God,' is sung. Before 120 cardinals, senior members of the Catholic Church, convene in the Sistine Chapel for the conclave – the secret meeting at which a new pope will be elected – the Church enters a period called 'the vacant see'. Following the funeral, there are nine days of official mourning, with the conclave required to begin 15 to 20 days after the sede vacante is declared, although it can start sooner if the cardinals agree. Archbishop of Westminster Cardinal Vincent Nichols is among those travelling to Rome. There are currently five cardinals across the UK and Ireland, although only three – Cardinal Nichols, Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe and Rome-based Cardinal Arthur Roche – are younger than 80 and therefore of voting age. Perhaps the most interesting part of the conclave is that the cardinals and employees, priests, secretaries, doctors and more can't speak to anyone until a new Pope is chosen. More Trending Those who work in the Vatican are sworn to secrecy, and security checks are taken in the Vatican to sweep for wire taps and other information which could derail the secret meetings. For each day of the conclave, if a Pope is not chosen, black smoke is released from the roof of the Sistine Chapel. When a new pontiff is agreed upon, white smoke is released, and the official announcement is made after. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: What will happen to the £380,000 Popemobile? MORE: How Pope Francis helped Arsenal complete £16m transfer deal with Manchester United MORE: Virgin Mary statue 'sheds tears' days before Pope's death
