Preparations have begun for the funeral of the late Pope Francis, who will be buried at St. Mary Major Basilica in Rome. The death of a pope triggers a series of meticulously planned rites and traditions that unfold long before the conclave to choose his successor begins. These solemn events start with the official confirmation of his death, followed by the public viewing of his body, allowing the faithful to offer their final respects. Last year, Pope Francis reformed the rites to be used for his funeral, aiming to align with modern theological and pastoral practices, while honouring and upholding the long-standing traditions of the Church. The core elements remain, including the three key moments that must be observed between the death of a pope and his burial.
Notable changes include the elimination of the traditional three-coffin system, formerly made of cypress, lead, and oak. Instead, the Pope’s body will be placed directly into a single coffin. The late pope will also now lie in repose within the closed coffin, rather than displayed atop a bier, as was customary in previous papal funerals. The reform also permits the formal confirmation of a pope’s death to take place in his personal chapel instead of his bedroom. Pope Francis resided in a modest suite at the Vatican’s Santa Marta guesthouse rather than the more formal Apostolic Palace, and he has a private chapel within Santa Marta where the confirmation could happen. On Tuesday, cardinals gathered at the Vatican to finalise preparations for the funeral and the upcoming conclave to choose his successor.
According to the Vatican, about 60 cardinals attended the initial meeting to determine the next steps following the pope’s passing. They agreed that the public will be allowed to pay their respects beginning Wednesday, once the pope’s casket is placed in St. Peter’s Basilica. While no date has yet been set for the conclave to elect the new pope, current church protocols indicate it cannot begin before 5 May. To assist during the “sede vacante” – the period between popes – three cardinals were appointed to support the camerlengo, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, in administering the Vatican. Those selected are Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state; Cardinal Stanisław Ryłko of Poland, archpriest of the Basilica of St. Mary Major where Pope Francis will be laid to rest; and Cardinal Fabbio Baggio, a senior official in the Vatican’s office for development and migration.
The funeral and burial have been scheduled for Saturday. Through these meticulously planned events and traditions, the Catholic Church honours and remembers the life and service of the late pope, while also preparing for the selection of a new spiritual leader. The upcoming conclave will bring together cardinals from around the world to elect the next pope, who will guide the Church through the challenges and opportunities of the modern era. As the faithful gather to bid farewell to Pope Francis, they also look towards the future with hope and faith, knowing that the traditions and teachings of the Church will continue to inspire and sustain them. The funeral of a pope is a solemn yet hopeful occasion, marking the end of one chapter and the beginning of another in the history of the Catholic Church.
