New details have emerged with the burial rights of Pope Francis, the Vatican announced its 88-year-old death on Easter Monday.
Francis will be placed in a heartfelt verse, describing him as a “simple and beloved shepherd.”
Pope Francis is currently being buried at funerals attended by global leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, Prince William and Sir Kyle Stemmer. Up to 500,000 mourners are expected to gather for open-air services, with many camping overnight in a tribute.
Francis has been lying in a simple wooden coffin at St. Peter’s Basilica since Wednesday. The coffin was sealed before today’s funeral.
Inside the coffin, a touching prose reminds him of his journey: it points out that Francis, as the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, was “a simple and beloved shepherd,” who went to the city by underground and buses, cooked his own meals, and lived among the people he served. The note added that he “will remain in the heart of the church and in humanity” and paid tribute: “Francis left all the wonderful testimony of humanity, the life of the saints and the universal father.”
Unlike the former Popes who placed in three coffins, Pope Francis would rest in one coffin. The lid inside the zinc is by his name, the cross, the badge of his pope and the date of his pope, 2013 – 2025.
This morning, St. Peter’s Square was filled with world leaders, guests, and thousands of mourners, all gathered together to bid farewell to one of the most transformative Catholic leaders of the modern day.
From the early hours, pilgrims flooded the pilgrims through the Della Conciliazione (the great boulevard leading to the Vatican), elaborating on hymns, praying and sharing memories of the compassionate leadership of Francis.
As the service began, both the Archbishop and Bishop of Constantine Wings of St. Peter’s Basilica wore Chasubles, Albs, belts and simple white Mitres. Priests and deacons gathered in similar costumes at St. Peter’s Square and added a red stage. The patriarch and cardinal were held in the church in San Sebastian, wearing white Malaysian morale.
The funeral procession featured clergy walking beside Francis’ coffin, the late pope wearing red brocade and golden papal Ringer.
The funeral began at 10 a.m. local time (9 a.m. BST), and Pope Francis’ coffin was lying in St. Peter’s Basilica, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re of the Cardinal College officiated with the solemn ceremony.
