Pope Francis has “returned to the home of the Father,” and the news of his passing, just hours after his final public appearance, has deeply saddened the Christian world.
On Easter Sunday, he addressed the crowds during the Easter Service and gave his traditional ‘Urbi et Orbi’ blessing from the balcony overlooking the Piazza. In his message, he joyfully greeted the faithful, saying, “Brothers and sisters, Happy Easter!”
Throughout his life, Pope Francis led with humility, and his death reflected that simplicity. His final wishes, including the location of his burial, defy centuries of tradition in the Vatican.
In his will, he expressed a desire to be buried not in the Vatican but in the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. He wrote, “I wish that my last earthly journey conclude precisely in this ancient Marian sanctuary, where I went for prayer at the beginning and end of each Apostolic Journey, entrusting my intentions to the Immaculate Mother and thanking Her for her maternal care.” He requested that his tomb be placed in a niche between the Pauline Chapel and the Sforza Chapel, with a simple inscription that reads only “Franciscus.” No mention of his papacy was to appear.
He also directed that the costs for his burial would be covered by a fund he had arranged, to be transferred to the Basilica and managed by Mons. Rolandas Makrickas, the Extraordinary Commissioner of the Liberian Chapter. He added, “May the Lord reward those who have loved me and continue to pray for me. I offer the suffering of my final years for peace in the world and for brotherhood among all people.”
On Wednesday, his body was moved to St. Peter’s Basilica, where it will lie in state for three days before his funeral on Saturday, which is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of mourners and world leaders.
On Tuesday, the Vatican shared the first image of Pope Francis lying in repose, in an open casket, dressed in red vestments with a rosary in his hands. Several symbolic items, including the miter (hat), crozier (pastoral staff), a small bag of coins minted during his papacy, and a rogito (a legal document recording his life), were placed in the casket. His broken Fisherman’s Ring, which is ceremonially destroyed after a pope’s reign ends, was also included.
Unlike previous popes, whose caskets are elaborate, Pope Francis’ final resting place is a plain wooden casket lined with zinc. His funeral is scheduled for April 26 at 10 AM local time in St. Peter’s Square.
