The passing of a pope initiates a meticulous series of rituals prior to the conclave that will select his successor. This process includes confirming the pope’s death, displaying his body for public farewell, and conducting the funeral and burial. Last year, Pope Francis made significant revisions to these rituals, highlighting his role as a bishop rather than a figure of worldly power, and permitting burial outside the Vatican according to his preferences.
The essential aspects of the ceremonies are retained, notably the three pivotal moments that take place from the time of death until burial. These reforms are documented in the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis, or the Rite of Burial for Roman Pontiffs.
Changes to these funeral rites had become necessary, as no revisions had occurred since 2000, especially considering Francis’s personal wishes and the unique circumstances of Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI’s funeral in December 2022, who was the first retired pope in 600 years. Following this, Francis began collaborating with Archbishop Diego Ravelli to simplify and clarify the entire set of rites, aiming to portray the papal funeral as one for a shepherd of Christ rather than a powerful worldly figure.
The revised protocol starts at the pope’s residence, allowing death to be confirmed in his personal chapel rather than traditionally in the Apostolic Palace. Upon death, the Vatican’s health service head inspects the body and prepares a report, after which the body is dressed and placed in the chapel for the death proclamation, led by the camerlengo, currently Cardinal Kevin Farrell.
The new procedures signify a break from tradition; the body is now placed in a single wooden coffin, encased in zinc, rather than the former three-coffin method. Additionally, modifications include the pope being clothed in red vestments and accompanied by a Paschal candle during rituals.
The night before the funeral, the camerlengo oversees the coffin’s sealing, where a white cloth is laid over the pope’s face, alongside a container of coins minted during his papacy and a document outlining his papal achievements, stored in a tubular case within the coffin.
The funeral is officiated by the dean of the College of Cardinals, with the possibility of burial at a different location than the Vatican—a choice Francis has indicated he prefers. He wishes to be interred at St Mary Major Basilica, renowned for housing an icon of the Virgin Mary that holds great significance for him.
Following the burial, the Catholic Church enters a nine-day mourning period known as the novemdiales, after which the conclave for selecting the new pope commences.