Pope Francis’ funeral, scheduled for April 26, 2025, at St. Peter’s Square, has captured global attention—not only because of the historic nature of the event, but also due to a detail that set social media ablaze: the presence of upside-down crosses behind his casket. Some users quickly claimed this was a satanic symbol. However, this interpretation is not just incorrect; it also overlooks centuries of Christian tradition.
Upside-Down Crosses at Pope Francis’ Funeral Sparked Online Speculation
In photos and videos leading up to the funeral, several upside-down crosses were spotted on decorations and ornaments. Almost immediately, some social media users linked them to satanism, fueling wild theories about an alleged “dark ritual” taking place at the Vatican. But the crosses in question are not satanic symbols at all—they are known as the Cross of St. Peter, a longstanding emblem of humility within the Christian faith.
@_wigged_out Dual upside-down crosses visible at Pope Francis’s funeral services! ✝️ This stirs more controversy after recent allegations of a man with no ears seen waiting for Pope Francis inside the Holy Doors Vatican, continue to circulate. #popefrancis #vatican #mystery #pope #francis ♬ La La La – Sped Up Version – Naughty Boy & Sam Smith
The True Christian Meaning Behind the Inverted Cross
The history of the upside-down crosses is rooted in the story of St. Peter, considered the first pope. According to tradition, Peter was crucified in Rome around 64 A.D. and requested to be crucified upside down, believing he was unworthy to die in the same way as Jesus Christ. Since then, the inverted cross has symbolized humility, sacrifice, and martyrdom—not demonic worship.
You’ll often find the Cross of St. Peter in churches, religious processions, and even on papal thrones. One well-known example is the Tercio del Arrepentimiento de San Pedro, a group of penitents in Cartagena, Spain, who wear black capes with red upside-down crosses during Holy Week processions.
- Read also: Vatican Bans Selfies at Pope Francis’ Lying-in-State Amid Outrage Over ‘Disrespectful’ Behavior
Fake Videos and Misinformation About the Funeral
Adding to the confusion, a video of the Tercio del Arrepentimiento’s procession was edited and circulated on social media with fake subtitles, falsely linking it to Pope Francis’ funeral. Reuters later fact-checked and debunked the video, confirming that it had no connection to the Vatican or the funeral ceremonies. Still, the disinformation had already gone viral.
What to Expect at Pope Francis’ Funeral Ceremony
Pope Francis passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 after suffering a stroke. True to his humble style, his farewell will be solemn yet simple. The funeral Mass, presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, will begin at 10:00 a.m. in St. Peter’s Square. Over 200,000 people are expected to attend, including prominent figures like U.S. President Donald Trump and Prince William.
Following the Mass, the casket will be taken in procession to the Basilica of St. Mary Major, about four kilometers from the Vatican. As per his wishes, Francis will be buried in a modest tomb there, breaking with papal tradition—it will be the first burial outside the Vatican in over a century.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the current Camerlengo, will oversee the burial. Reflecting Pope Francis’ lifelong commitment to inclusion, migrants, prisoners, the poor, and members of the transgender community will all be represented at the funeral—groups he fought to bring closer to the Church during his papacy.
The ceremony will follow the updated Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis protocol, revised by Francis in 2024 to be more accessible and intimate. The entire service is expected to last about two and a half hours, but its impact will be felt for generations to come.
This article was originally written in Spanish by Alan Cruz in Cultura Colectiva.
