A Final Farewell to Pope Francis
Photos of Pope Francis lying peacefully in his coffin reveal more than a farewell — they reflect a life devoted to humility and compassion. Every detail, from his untraditional casket to the personal items beside him, tells a story of a man who challenged centuries of Vatican tradition.
A Resting Place That Reflects His Values
By his own request, Pope Francis chose a simple farewell. His burial mirrors the values he lived by — humility, love, and service to the marginalized. As the world mourns, his final resting place stands as a quiet yet powerful tribute to the legacy he leaves behind.
The 88-year-old pontiff passed away on Monday after suffering a devastating stroke and battling pneumonia. He died peacefully at the Vatican.
What Lies Inside the Casket?
On Tuesday, the Vatican released the first images of Pope Francis lying in repose. The photos revealed the meaningful items chosen for his final journey.
Francis lies in a plain wooden coffin, dressed in red vestments — the color of martyrdom and the blood of Christ. A rosary rests gently in his folded hands. Nearby, the ceremonial guards keep watch as Vatican officials and loved ones pay their respects.
Inside the casket are his mitre (the papal hat), crozier (pastoral staff), and coins minted during his papacy — a tradition symbolizing his time as Vicar of Christ. A rogito, a sealed document summarizing his life and pontificate, is also included.
On his right hand, he wears the broken Fisherman’s Ring. Traditionally destroyed before burial, the ring’s destruction prevents misuse and symbolizes the end of his reign.
A Break from Tradition
Pope Francis’s funeral marks a clear departure from papal custom. Unlike past popes buried in triple-layered coffins of cypress, lead, and oak, Francis chose a simple wooden coffin lined with zinc.
He also declined the traditional placement on a catafalque inside St. Peter’s Basilica. Instead, mourners will view his body with the lid of the coffin removed — offering a more intimate farewell.
A Historic Burial Site
For the first time in more than a century, a pope will be buried outside the Vatican. Pope Francis requested to be laid to rest at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome’s Esquilino neighborhood. This breaks from the tradition of burial in the grottoes beneath St. Peter’s Basilica, where about 90 popes lie.
Funeral Details
The Vatican confirmed the funeral will take place on Saturday, April 26, at 10 AM local time in St. Peter’s Square. After the public ceremony, his body will be transported to Santa Maria Maggiore — the very place he once said he wished to be buried.
Beginning Wednesday, his body will lie in state at St. Peter’s Basilica. As the procession enters, the Litany of Saints will echo through the basilica, led by the camerlengo, Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell.
A Legacy of Simplicity
Even in death, Pope Francis continued to reject grandeur. His coffin will rest at floor level, not on an elevated bier. A single Paschal candle will stand nearby — a quiet symbol of light and faith.
His final choices speak louder than any ceremony. Just as in life, Pope Francis embraced simplicity and compassion over tradition. And in doing so, he may have shaped a legacy that will outshine any grand procession.
