Pope Francis's innovative final rites reshape Vatican customs
Pope Francis has passed away at the age of 88. Jorge Mario Bergoglio began personally planning his funeral back in 2023, when he also revealed that he wanted to simplify the papal funeral ceremonies. The head of the Church did not intend to be laid to rest in the Vatican, but rather in Rome.
Pope Francis has died at the age of 88, the Vatican announced. Jorge Mario Bergoglio had led the Catholic Church since 13th March 2013.
Although the pope's death has come as a shock to many, Francis himself revealed at the end of 2023, in an interview with Mexican journalist Valentina Alazraki, that he had long been preparing for this moment.
The pope stated at the time that "when old age and limitations arrive, one must prepare" and "for this reason, he met with the master of ceremonies to simplify the papal funerals, which will be much simpler." "I will launch the new ritual," he added.
Francis declared that he intended to be buried outside the Vatican, stating that he had arranged for his burial at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome, a place he holds in deep esteem because of his devotion to the icon of Our Lady Salus Populi Romani housed there.
Changes in the funeral ceremony
The decision regarding the new burial site was not the only change advocated by the late pope. Francis also decided to simplify the ceremony by removing some traditional elements.
According to the new rules, the body of the deceased pope will be placed immediately in a coffin for public viewing, departing from the previous practice of displaying the body on a catafalque. Furthermore, the tradition of three coffins has been abandoned – Francis's body will rest in two: one zinc and one wooden.
The last modernisation of the rules regarding the burial of a pope took place in 1998, during the pontificate of John Paul II.
