Rome: Pope Francis’ coffin – all ready for funeral

In a climate of excitement more than 250,000 believers bid farewell to Pope Francis as the Ceremony of the Cereter of the Roman Catholic Church was held on Friday night at the Holy Bank of Confession at St. Peter’s Basilica.

The corpse has undergone the process of death, a modern maintenance technique that allows the body to be exposed without the need for embarrassment. It was placed in a simple wooden casket, according to the Pope’s desire to avoid the traditional triple casket.

A funeral with a characteristic of humility

The preparation of the deceased’s memory was completed and as it became known, it is made of Italian marble from the Genoa area and on it the Pope’s name in Latin (Franciscus) is listed.

According to the Vatican known, the Pope wanted to be buried « on the ground, without any particular decoration » but with the inscription of his papal name in Latin. The only additional element placed is a copy of the iron cross wearing « the pope of the poor ».

The Pope’s Burial Place

The tomb is next to the sanctuary of St. Francis of Assisi and a short distance from the Byzantine icon of Our Lady with Jesus « Salos Popouli Romani », in front of which the ecclesiastical Pontiff used to pray.

Franciscus, who visited more than 60 countries during his stay on the papal throne, will make his last trip on the road connecting the Vatican city with Esculin Hill, one of the seven hills of Rome, where he chose to be buried in a last rupture with many semantics. The Argentine Pope’s coffin is about half an hour until it reaches the royal church of Santa Maria Maggiore.

Poor, immigrants, trans people and six prisoners, who were given a special permit, will receive Pope Francis’ coffin to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, where he chose to be buried. Among them are female victims of trafficking in human beings, trans people and a Roma woman. Everyone will hold a white rose, the flower that he liked so much to the Pope.

As Raldas Makrikas (the Archbishop of the Church) said, Pope Francis chose his burial place because he reflects his « humble, simple and meaningful » life. The church is located near the Central Railway Station of Rome. It is one of the four largest and most impressive temples of the eternal city. Inside is the Byzantine image of the Virgo with Jesus « Salus Populi Romani », in front of which Franciscus used to kneel and pray after returning from every trip abroad.

Fortress the Vatican, dozens of leaders at funeral

The start at 11am (Greek time) means that most state leaders and political leaders will arrive in Rome on Friday night, with a short time for meetings if they wish. About 8,000 police officers will be on the streets of Rome as the funeral will take place under draconian measures.

In the Italian capital, European Commission President Ursula von der Laien, French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Kir Starmer are expected.

The looks, however, will mainly turn to US President Donald Trump. In total, 130 official missions have been confirmed, including 10 members of royal families, 50 heads of state and a number of prime ministers, ministers and diplomats. The ceremony will also be attended by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

What follows

On Sunday afternoon, all the cardinals of the Catholic Church are going to go to Basilica, to pray in front of the tomb of the first Latin American Pontifical in history.

The Sistine Hat will remain closed to the public on Monday, April 28, « for the needs of the Senate ». This was announced by the Holy See. « All visits to the Vatican gardens and the Via Triumphaalis necropolis are also suspended. »

The Directorate of Museums and Cultural Heritage, « expressing deep sadness and pain over the death of the Holy Father, » he says, announces that on Saturday, April 28, « the Vatican museums and the Castel Gandolfo museum complex will remain closed to the public. »