Vatican City: The Vatican on Friday evening formally concluded the lying in state of Pope Francis, sealing his coffin during a private religious ceremony inside St. Peter’s Basilica. The rite followed three days of public mourning that drew approximately 250,000 visitors, CNN reported.
Pope Francis, the first pontiff from Latin America and the first Jesuit pope, had requested a simplified funeral, departing from traditional practices. His body was placed in a single wooden coffin, foregoing the customary triple-layered coffins made of cypress, lead, and oak used in prior papal funerals.
Coffin Sealing Ceremony Details:
- Led by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church.
- Assisted by clergy from Venezuela, Brazil, and the Pope’s personal secretaries.
- Participated by Cardinal Roger Mahony, former Archbishop of Los Angeles.
- The ceremony included:
- Hymns and spoken prayers
- A moment of silent reflection
- Placement of a white silk veil over the pope’s face
- Sprinkling of holy water
- Insertion of papal symbols: a pallium, pontificate coins, and a deed summarizing his papacy
- Concluded with a hymn honoring the Virgin Mary.
Upcoming Funeral and Burial Plans:
The Vatican announced a prayer vigil through the night, ahead of the funeral Mass on Saturday at 10 a.m. local time on the steps of St. Peter’s Basilica. The Mass will also mark the start of the Novendiales, nine days of mourning with daily funeral Masses at the basilica.
Pope Francis will be buried at Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome. His tomb, carved from Ligurian marble to honor his great-grandfather’s heritage, will be minimalist in design, adorned only with the cross he wore as Archbishop of Buenos Aires and his name in Latin: Franciscus.
Public Mourning and International Presence:
On Friday—also Italy’s Liberation Day, a public holiday—crowds swelled around the Vatican, offering more time for people to pay their respects. Visitors from across the world came to view the pope’s coffin. One mourner, Joana Veiga from Porto, Portugal, described the atmosphere as “very peaceful – calm.”