Pope Francis has significantly altered the elaborate funeral rituals for pontiffs, scaling back ceremonies that once showcased papal grandeur to instead emphasize humility and service.
At a Glance
- Pope Francis revised traditional papal funeral rites to reflect simplicity and emphasize the pope’s role as pastor rather than worldly ruler
- Death confirmation now occurs in the Pope’s personal chapel at Santa Marta rather than the papal bedroom
- New guidelines allow for burial outside Vatican sacred spaces, breaking with centuries of tradition
- The revised rites, documented in “Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis,” were inspired by Pope Benedict XVI’s death in 2022
- Cardinal Kevin Farrell, as Camerlengo, will oversee administration between Popes and formally pronounce the death
Simplifying Sacred Traditions
The death of a pope has historically triggered an elaborate series of rites and rituals before the conclave to elect a successor. However, Pope Francis, continuing his mission to reform the Church, has revised these centuries-old funeral traditions to better reflect his vision of the papacy. The reforms, documented in “Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis” (Order of the Funeral Rites of the Roman Pontiff), mark the first major revision of papal funeral protocols since 2000 and represent a significant departure from the ceremonial grandeur that once characterized papal transitions.
Working closely with Archbishop Diego Ravelli, the papal master of liturgical ceremonies, Francis stripped away excessive ornamentation from the rites. The revisions particularly emphasize the Pope’s role as bishop and pastor, rather than a temporal ruler. Among the most notable changes is the shifting of the formal death confirmation from the papal bedroom to the Pope’s personal chapel at Santa Marta residence, adding spiritual significance to this solemn moment and reducing the political overtones that once dominated such proceedings.
Pope Francis has revised the funeral rites that will be used when he dies, simplifying the rituals and allowing for burial outside the Vatican in keeping with his wishes.
Francis turns 88 in December and, despite some health problems, appears in fine form. https://t.co/ZmHgr1rkm1— The Associated Press (@AP) November 20, 2024
From Death to Public Mourning
When Pope Francis dies, the Vatican health service will certify the cause of death, after which Cardinal Kevin Farrell, as Camerlengo (Chamberlain), will formally pronounce the Pontiff’s passing. The Pontiff’s body will be dressed in simple white vestments and placed in his personal chapel for the pronouncement ceremony. This marks a significant departure from the elaborate historical protocols that once included tapping the pope’s forehead three times with a silver hammer. Following the death declaration, the Camerlengo will draft the formal notification of death while preparations begin for public mourning.
The Pope’s body will then be transported to St. Peter’s Basilica for public viewing, accompanied by the singing of the Litany of Saints. In another break with tradition, the coffin will be placed facing the pews at floor level, not on an elevated platform, symbolically bringing the Pope closer to the faithful even in death. The night before the funeral, a white cloth will be placed over the Pope’s face before the coffin is sealed. Following tradition, coins minted during his papacy and a written account of his pontificate will be placed in the coffin.
Pope Francis, who died on Monday, revised various rites last year, simplifying the funeral rituals to emphasize his role as a mere bishop and allowing for burial outside the Vatican in keeping with his wishes. https://t.co/hrFYOsVLen
— PBS News (@NewsHour) April 21, 2025
Funeral and Burial Changes
Perhaps the most significant change introduced by Francis allows for papal burial outside the Vatican’s sacred spaces, breaking with centuries of tradition that saw popes interred within St. Peter’s Basilica or Vatican grounds.
This modification reflects Francis’ personal preferences – he has expressed desire to be buried at Rome’s Basilica of St. Mary Major, where he regularly prays before a beloved Marian icon under the title “Salus Populi Romani” (Protectress of the Roman People). The funeral itself will be presided over by the dean or vice dean of the College of Cardinals, not the new Pope.
The revised burial arrangements follow Francis’ consistent efforts to demystify the papacy and emphasize its pastoral rather than political dimensions. This reform gained practical urgency following the 2022 death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, which created unprecedented ceremonial questions.
After the burial, the Catholic Church begins nine days of official mourning, known as “novemdiales.” The coffin itself symbolizes the new approach – a simple wooden vessel with a zinc coffin inside, replacing the elaborate triple-coffin tradition of previous eras, further underscoring the pope’s reimagining of papal office as service rather than sovereign power.
