After days of public mourning inside St. Peter’s Basilica, where thousands of faithful traveled from around the world to pay their final respects, the coffin of Pope Francis was officially sealed.
The sealing of the coffin is a traditional ritual performed after the death of a pope. However, Pope Francis had made significant changes to the process to simplify it. Departing from the long-standing custom of using three coffins, Francis had requested a single wooden coffin, reinforced and lined with zinc, to be used instead.
Previously, a cypress wood coffin would be tied with red ribbons bearing the seals of the Apostolic Chamber, the Prefecture, the Celebrations Office, and the Vatican Chapter. This time, those traditions were omitted. Here’s how the new ritual unfolded — and the meaningful items that accompanied Pope Francis into his final rest.
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How Pope Francis’s Coffin Was Sealed
The liturgical rite took place at 8 p.m. local time on April 25, inside St. Peter’s Basilica, after the church’s doors were closed to the public. The private ceremony was presided over by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church.
The ritual followed the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis, with several cardinals and Vatican officials present, including:
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Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals
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Roger Michael Mahony, Cardinal Priest
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Dominique Mamberti, Protodeacon
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Mauro Gambetti, Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of St. Peter
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Pietro Parolin, former Secretary of State
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Baldassare Reina, Vicar General of the Diocese of Rome
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Edgar Peña Parra, Substitute for General Affairs in the Secretariat of State
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Konrad Krajewski, Almoner of His Holiness
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Ilson de Jesus Montanari, Vice Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church
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Leonardo Sapienza, Regent of the Pontifical Household
Following a special prayer led by Cardinal Farrell, several symbolic items were placed inside the coffin:
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A bag of coins minted during Francis’s papacy — a gold coin for each year, a silver coin for each month, and a bronze coin for each day he served as pope.
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The Rogito, a sealed metal tube containing a document written by the master of ceremonies, summarizing Pope Francis’s life and significant achievements.
After these symbols were placed, the Pope’s body was covered with a white cloth, sprinkled with holy water, and the coffin was sealed.
See also: Why Pope Francis Chose to Be Buried at Santa Maria Maggiore — Not St. Peter’s
Now sealed, the coffin will be ready for the funeral scheduled for Saturday, April 26. It will be moved from inside St. Peter’s Basilica to the center of the sacred area in St. Peter’s Square. Cardinal Re is set to deliver a homily honoring Pope Francis, followed by the Ultima Commendatio to entrust his soul to God. The ritual will conclude with the Responsorium, the sprinkling of holy water, and the incensation of the coffin.
Several world leaders and political figures are expected to attend the funeral.
This article was originally written in Spanish by Lizbeth García in Cultura Colectiva News.