The rites and rituals following the death of a pope, his funeral and burial, explained

 

A Humble Farewell: Pope Francis' Final Wishes Shape a Simpler Papal Funeral

The passing of Pope Francis on Monday has triggered a solemn cascade of centuries-old rituals—some revised by the pontiff himself—that mark the final farewell to the leader of the Catholic Church. Though the basic structure of a papal death remains, key moments from the declaration of death to burial have undergone a transformation reflecting the late pope’s commitment to humility and pastoral service over papal pomp.

Francis, who made simplicity a hallmark of his reign, spent his final days not in the grandeur of the Apostolic Palace but in a modest suite within the Vatican’s Santa Marta residence. Fittingly, it is here—in his personal chapel—that the declaration of his death was made, a departure from tradition that once dictated the pope be officially pronounced dead in his bedroom.

This reform, formalized in the newly updated Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis (Rite of Burial for Roman Pontiffs), allowed for more intimate rites and marked a profound shift in the tone of papal funerals. The head of the Vatican’s health service confirmed the death and cause, with the body subsequently dressed in white and brought to the chapel where Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the camerlengo and one of Francis’ most trusted aides, presided over the formal pronouncement.

Once the declaration was completed, preparations began for public veneration. Gone is the ornate tradition of triple coffins—cypress, lead, and oak. Francis opted instead for a wooden casket containing a zinc inner lining. He was vested in red liturgical garments, adorned with his bishop’s miter and the woolen pallium, signifying his pastoral authority. A Paschal candle, symbolizing the resurrection of Christ, stood vigil nearby.

When the coffin was carried into St. Peter’s Basilica, the air rang with the solemn chant of the Litany of Saints. This moment marked the second of three central stations in the ritual sequence. Departing from the elevated bier once typical for papal remains, Francis’ coffin was positioned at ground level, facing the pews—another nod to the late pope’s insistence on closeness to the people.

Throughout his papacy, Francis prioritized reforms that underscored the spiritual nature of leadership over institutional grandeur. Collaborating with Archbishop Diego Ravelli, the Vatican’s master of liturgical ceremonies, he redesigned the funeral rites to reflect the pope as a shepherd of souls, not a sovereign ruler.

As the funeral neared, preparations for the sealing of the coffin commenced the night prior. The camerlengo, joined by senior cardinals, led this final rite. A white cloth was gently laid over the pontiff’s face. A bag of coins minted during his time as pope and a “rogito”—a short, official summary of his papacy—were placed inside the coffin. The rogito, read aloud before being sealed within a metal tube, becomes both a historical document and a spiritual testament, with another copy archived by the Vatican.

The exterior of the coffin bore a cross and the coat of arms that Francis chose at the start of his papacy—one that retained his bishop’s symbolism. It featured a Jesuit monogram and the Latin phrase Miserando atque eligendo, or “Having had mercy, he called him,” drawn from the Gospel moment when Jesus calls the tax collector Matthew to follow him.

On the day of the funeral, the dean of the College of Cardinals, Giovanni Battista Re, 91, is expected to preside. Should health prevent his presence, the duty may fall to Vice Dean Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, 81. Both had their terms extended by Francis earlier this year—a final administrative act that now takes on new significance.

Perhaps the most notable departure from centuries of papal tradition lies in Francis’ chosen burial site. Rather than the crypts beneath St. Peter’s Basilica—where his predecessors lie—Francis wished to be interred at the Basilica of St. Mary Major. His deep devotion to the Salus Populi Romani icon, a revered image of the Virgin Mary housed there, shaped his decision. Throughout his pontificate, he prayed at the basilica after every international journey, seeking guidance and giving thanks.

With his burial, the Church now enters the novemdiales, nine days of mourning, prayer, and remembrance. These sacred days, steeped in reflection and transition, lead the Church to its next chapter: the conclave to elect a new successor.

Pope Francis leaves behind a legacy etched not just in doctrine or diplomacy, but in the quiet, deliberate re-centering of power toward service, simplicity, and the sacredness of ordinary life. His final rites echo his life’s message—one of mercy, humility, and the enduring love of a pastor for his flock.