Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88 on Easter Monday, leading to a period of mourning throughout the Catholic community and a series of ceremonial events in the Vatican. Here are the essential details regarding the funeral of the church’s first Latin American pope:
**Location and Time of the Funeral:**
Pope Francis’ funeral took place on a Saturday morning at St. Peter’s Square. Following the service, his coffin was transported by motorcade through downtown Rome to its final resting place, a simple underground tomb at St. Mary Major Basilica, in accordance with his testament. This basilica is notably significant to him due to its revered icon of the Virgin Mary, to whom Francis was deeply devoted.
**Reason for the Location Choice:**
Pope Francis consistently visited the basilica to offer prayers before and after his international travels. The special icon, Salus Populi Romani or Salvation of the People of Rome, held particular significance for him. This Byzantine-style portrait is characterized by an image of Mary wearing a blue cloak, holding Jesus, depicted as an infant holding a golden, jewel-encrusted book.
**Dignitaries in Attendance:**
The funeral was attended by various eminent figures, including U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Other notable attendees were Prince William, French President Emmanuel Macron, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and António Costa, President of the European Council.
**Duration of Papacy:**
Throughout his 12-year tenure, Pope Francis captivated many with his humble demeanor and dedication to the impoverished. Nonetheless, his papacy was marked by disagreements with conservative groups due to his criticisms of capitalism and advocacy for climate change action.
**Youth Presence:**
A significant number of young attendees were present, initially planning to visit Rome for the Holy Year canonization of Carlo Acutis, which was postponed following Francis’ death. Additionally, events for the Jubilee of Teenagers had been scheduled. The youth presence infused a somber yet celebratory vibe, as mourners captured selfies amidst the hymns during the unveiling of Francis’ plain coffin at the mass’s commencement.
**Papacy Election Process:**
The passing of a pope initiates a time-honored process to elect a successor involving cardinal oaths, pierced ballot counts, and the ritual burning of the votes. Smoke signals, black or white, indicate the outcome of the conclave, which is not yet scheduled. Cardinals participate in voting, and a two-thirds majority is necessary for electing a pope. Traditionally, cardinals have been the chosen ones since 1378. Pope Francis himself appointed many cardinals with similar pastoral focus, implying a probable continuation of his policies.
**Real and Reel-life Comparisons:**
The 2024 movie “Conclave” offered insight into this ancient electoral ceremony, mixing reality with Hollywood drama. In contrast to the film’s adaptation, experts note discrepancies and inaccuracies. Nevertheless, the film succeeded in portraying the process’s ceremonial gravity, though the burning of ballots after each session, not each vote, was a clarified detail.
**Francis’ Legacy:**
Francis was renowned for his simplicity and dedication to the marginalized. He took the name of St. Francis of Assisi to highlight humility and service to the poor. Preferring a life of modesty, he resided at the Vatican’s Domus Santa Marta rather than the Apostolic Palace and continued wearing his old orthotic shoes. His papal teachings emphasized aiding refugees and welcoming marginalized groups, including a more receptive stance towards LGBTQ+ individuals. He was also outspoken about climate change, being the first pope to include scientific perspectives in a major doctrinal publication. His commitment to God’s creation became a defining aspect of his papacy, mirrored in his simple wooden coffin marker upon his passing.
**Funeral Traditions:**
On the evening prior to the funeral, the camerlengo conducted the sealing of the coffin, which involved covering Francis’ face with a white cloth, depositing a collection of coins minted during his papacy, and placing a documented account of his tenure, referred to as a “rogito,” inside a tube within the coffin. A duplicate of this rogito is conserved in the Vatican archives. Both the zinc and wooden casket covers display a cross and Francis’ papal emblem.