Pope Francis has announced he will abolish the traditional and elaborate burial rites of his predecessors, in a decision that could modernize the Catholic Church.
When the time comes, the 87-year-old pope will break with the centuries-old practice of burying popes in three interlocking coffins made of cypress, lead and oak, instead of a single wooden coffin lined with zinc. He chose to be buried in a coffin. .
Vatican made an announcement On Wednesday, a new formal ceremony was announced that reflects Francis' vision for a more modest church. Pope Francis approved the new edition of the liturgy in April this year and received the first printed version on November 4th.
This new edition of the liturgical book follows its predecessor, the Editio Typica or Typical Edition of the Pontifical Funeral Code.
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Pope Francis announced this week that the Vatican's funerals will be simpler and more intimate. (Reuters, Ensemble)
This edition was approved by St. John Paul II in 1998 and published in 2000. This version was used at the funeral of St. John Paul II in 2005 and, with some adaptations, at the funeral of Pope Benedict XVI in 2023.
“The second edition has become necessary,” Archbishop Diego Ravelli, Director of Apostolic Rites, said in the release, adding, “First of all, Pope Francis has stated several times that certain rites need to be simplified and adapted. “Because the Pope demanded it, as he said.” This is because celebrating the funeral of the Bishop of Rome better expresses the Church's faith in the Risen Christ. ”
“The new rites also needed to further emphasize that the pope's funeral is the funeral of a pastor and disciple of Christ, and not of an earthly power,” the archbishop added.
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Additionally, he will be the first pope in more than a century to be buried outside the Vatican grounds. He requested to be buried in St. Mary's Basilica in Rome, where he often visits for prayers before and after traveling abroad.
The last pope to be buried outside the Vatican was Leo XIII in 1903, who is now buried in the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome.
Pope Francis delivers a message during a meeting with authorities and civil society at the Grand Gallery of Laeken Castle in Brussels, Friday, September 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Francis' decision to reject the traditional three-casket practice of creating an airtight seal and housing objects such as coins and papal documents is part of a broader effort to simplify papal customs.
Additionally, the body of the late pope will be displayed on a hill above St. Peter's Basilica and will not be open to the public, as is customary. Instead, the body will remain in the coffin with the lid removed, although visitors will still be able to pay their respects.
A child kisses Pope Francis during his weekly general audience at the Paul VI Hall in the Vatican on August 21, 2024. (Reuters/Yara Nardi)
The pope, who turns 88 next month, has made no secret of his health challenges, including knee and back pain that currently requires the use of a wheelchair.
Despite his health limitations, he has maintained a busy schedule, including two grueling overseas trips in September and leading a key month-long Vatican summit in October. .
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Last year, Francis announced his desire to simplify the complex and lengthy funerals traditionally given to popes.
Reuters contributed to this report.
