The night before Pope Francis’ funeral Mass, his coffin was carefully sealed. The Pope’s body had been lying in state at St. Peter’s Basilica since Wednesday. After around 250,000 visitors came to pay their respects over the past three days, the basilica was emptied as the last mourners said their goodbyes, reported by Vatican News.
Sealing the Coffin: A Final Act of Respect
The body of Pope Francis lay in state in front of the Confessio altar in a wooden coffin. He was wrapped in a red chasuble, wearing a white mitre, and holding a rosary in his hands. The coffin was placed on the ground, not on a raised platform. This was something Pope Francis had chosen himself.
The ceremony, led by Cardinal-Camerlengo Kevin Farrell, began with a reading of a document about Pope Francis’ life and key moments of his time as Pope. It said that the memory of the 266th Pope “remains in the heart of the Church and of all humanity.”
The document mentioned important moments in his life, including his time in Germany in the late 1980s and his work in Argentina. It said, “He was a simple and popular pastor in his archdiocese, who travelled far and wide, even by metro and bus. He lived in a flat and prepared his own food because he felt like a normal person.”
The Covering of Pope Francis’ Face
Archbishop Diego Ravelli carefully placed a white silk cloth over the Pope’s face, while Cardinal-Camerlengo Farrell sprinkled holy water over Pope Francis. A bag with coins and medals made during his time as Pope was then placed inside the coffin with him.
Next, the lid was placed on the zinc coffin. Along with the lid, Pope Francis’ cross, his coat of arms, and a plaque with his name and the years of his life and service as Pope were added. During this, psalms were sung. After the zinc coffin was closed, official seals from the Cardinal-Camerlengo, the Papal Household, the Office for Liturgical Celebrations, and the Vatican Chapter were added. Finally, the wooden coffin, which has a cross and the Pope’s coat of arms, was also sealed.
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