The holy relics inside Pope Francis’ casket

Every element in the images of Pope Francis lying motionless in his casket tells a tale, and there is much more to see than first glances. By his own request, the late pope’s final resting exhibit defies centuries of Vatican precedent, from the unconventional casket to the personal belongings arranged next to his body. Pope Francis’s impending funeral will honor the principles he espoused throughout his life as the world says goodbye to him.

The last resting place of Pope Francis, who is well-known for his simplicity, humility, and unfailing concern for the underprivileged, is a potent monument to the legacy he leaves behind. Additionally, the personal belongings he decided to take with him will act as a last reminder of a life devoted to change, love, and service.

The adored 88-year-old pope died on Monday after suffering a fatal stroke that left him with permanent heart failure. The spiritual leader, who was born in Argentina, passed away quietly at the Vatican after suffering from pneumonia for several weeks.

The Vatican released the first striking pictures of Pope Francis in slumber on Tuesday. The pictures showed the sentimental objects that were given to him on his last trip. As Vatican authorities and members of his household gathered for a solemn and dignified farewell, his coffin stood silently under the watchful eyes of ceremonial guards.

Francis is seen in the publicly available images lying in an open coffin while wearing red robes, which stand for Christ’s blood and martyrdom. He folds a rosary carefully in his hands.

His crozier (the pastoral staff), his mitre (the traditional papal headgear), and a variety of coins struck during his pontificate—a centuries-old custom signifying his tenure as the Vicar of Christ—are also placed inside the casket. A sealed legal document called a rogito, which summarizes his life and pontificate, is also found in the casket.

The shattered Fisherman’s Ring, which is ceremoniously destroyed prior to burial to mark the end of a pope’s reign, is worn by the pope on his right hand. Since the ring was initially intended to be a seal for the pope’s private correspondence, its destruction also ensures that it cannot be misused after the pope’s passing.

One just needs to look at Pope Francis’s coffin to see how his passing represents a dramatic break from the long-standing customs of papal funerals. Francis opted for simplicity in contrast to earlier popes, notably the late Pope Benedict, who were interred in ornate triple coffins composed of cypress, lead, and oak. His coffin is a simple zinc-lined wooden construction that reflects his dedication to modesty.

Additionally, the customary papal goodbye has been abandoned, which involved the Pope’s body being put on a catafalque inside St. Peter’s Basilica for public mourning.

Francis’s remains will instead lie inside the coffin with the lid off, allowing mourners to pay their respects in a more private and intimate manner. Additionally, a pope will be buried outside the Vatican for the first time in more than a century. Instead of being buried in the grottoes beneath St. Peter’s, where the graves of some 90 popes are situated, Pope Francis will be buried at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome’s Esquilino area.

The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Francis’ funeral will be held in St. Peter’s Square on Saturday, April 26 at 10:00 AM local time. Francis once stated that he intended to be buried at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome’s Esquilino area, where his body will be taken following the public service.

His remains will lie in state in St. Peter’s Basilica beginning on Wednesday. The mournful chant of the Litany of Saints, conducted by the camerlengo at the head of the procession, will fill the air as the body is carried inside the basilica.

The current camerlengo is Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, who was appointed by Pope Francis in 2019. Pope Francis’ remains will not be placed on a high bier, breaking with long-standing tradition. Rather, his plain wooden coffin is positioned at floor level, facing the seats, and the Paschal candle, a silent representation of light and faith, stands nearby.

In the midst of the world’s ongoing grief at Pope Francis’ passing, the small, intimate details—from his modest wooden casket to the simple ceremony—speak loudly. He chose kindness, simplicity, and a departure from tradition in both life and death. And his legacy might be more defined by those decisions than by any elaborate parade.