Vatican: chronology of funeral ceremonies
The period that succeeds the death of a Pope is marked by a series of rituals and protocol procedures. The first step is marked by the official verification of the Pope’s death who, according to the document “Sé Vacant and Papal Election”Available by the Patriarchate of Lisbon, it is held by Camerlengo and «In the presence of the master of pontifical liturgical celebrations, the clerics of the Apostolic Chamber and the secretary and chancellor of it». After confirmed the death of Pope Francis on Monday, the Camerlengo sealed the Pope’s fourth and office, located in Domus Santa Marta and not in the Apostolic Palace and summoned the first cardinals of the three orders-Order of Bishops, Elders and Deacons. The cardinals will be responsible for the celebration of «Masses for the Pope for 9 days in a row»according to the same document.
On Monday, the Pope was immediately placed in the coffin, having exposed « To the veneration of the faithful already within the open coffin (contrary to what was before, when it was exposed in the catafalco, that is, in a high structure, being visible to all) » And there was no, as it was normal, «The three traditional casions of cypress, lead and oak».
Francisco was not «Transferred to the Apostolic Palace»having been transported at 8 am yesterday, directly to St. Peter’s Square. The body followed in procession through the squares of Santa Marta and the first Roman Martyrs, later entry into the Basilica of St. Peter through the central door. It is here, in the Basilica of St. Peter, that the body of Pope Francis will be at rest for three days, giving the opportunity to be paid the due honors.
Given the exposure of the body for 6 days, «Medical treatment is done (…) by Forensic Medicine Experts at the Tor Vergata University in Rome». In the case of Francisco, a tanatopraxia operation was carried out, a preservation technique that, as wrote the Euronews, « It is considered a modern evolution of embalming and is distinguished by the use of less invasive and more respectful substances in the human body (…) that slows down the processes of decomposition, allowing to maintain the natural aspect of the deceased for several days. ». Rather, the most common practice was embalming. The faithful began to have access to the Pope’s body, who is still in a fundraiser, from 11 am yesterday.
Another of Pope Francis’ innovations is the simplification and adaptation «Of some rites so that the celebration of the funeral of the bishop of Rome» express «Better the faith of the church in Christ risen»as the Patriarchate document of Lisbon says. In addition, the renewed rite highlights « Even more than the funeral of the Roman Pontiff is that of a pastor and disciple of Christ and not of a powerful man of this world. ».
On Saturday will arrive the last goodbye, before the body is taken to the place where it will be buried. Jorge Mario Bergoglio’s pontificate was marked by several “first times”, and innovations will continue even after death. UDG, University Dominici Gregisthe apostolic constitution that addresses the procedures during the vagar thirstIt predicts that the Pope be buried in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. However, Pope Francis expressed the will to be buried in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maior, in Rome and about 7.5 kilometers from the Vatican City. It was in the vicinity of this Basilica-where the image of the Virgin Mary is that the Pope would prefer-that, on Tuesday night, the Vatican Secretary of State and member of the Cardinian Council, Pietro Parolin, prayed the third in memory of Pope Francis.
Also with regard to the clothes that wears him in death, Pope Francis’ simplicity comes from above. No costumes have been produced specifically for the occasion, and Filippo Sorcinelli, a stylist who has been working for two decades in the department for the liturgical celebrations of the Pontiff, confirmed to Euronews what « The Casula was of repertoire, already in use in the sacristy, while the miter was among those normally used by the pontiff».
Thus, the ceremonies plan is outlined until the day Pope Francis will be buried. The general congregations will also begin to happen, where the cardinals get to know each other, and the conclave «It may start only when 15 days after the beginning of the vacancy of the apostolic See»says the Patriarchate document of Lisbon. « However »continue, « If all cardinals are not yet in Rome with the right to vote, it may be expected until the 20th of the vacation, when the conclave begins».
