Pope Francis modified some of the funeral rites of the popes and Among the novelties introduced are the confirmation of death not in the room but in the chapel, the immediate deposition inside the coffin, the exhibition to the faithful without the catafalque and the elimination of the traditional three coffins of cypress, lead and oak.
This is how it reads in the new edition of the ‘Order of Roman Pontifical Funerals’which was made public this Wednesday and regulates the funeral of a pontiff and was approved on April 29, 2024 with the new wishes of Pope Francis to “simplify and adapt some rites so that the celebration of the funeral of the Bishop of Rome would better express the faith of the Church in the risen Christ.”
Another novelty is the introduction of the necessary indications for a possible burial in a place other than the Vatican basilica. As Francisco already announced, he wants to be buried in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome.
“The renewed rite, moreover, had to emphasize even more that the funeral of the Roman Pontiff is that of a pastor and disciple of Christ and not that of a powerful man of this world,” is explained in the new revision.
The so-called “three stations” are maintained, the steps after the death of a pontiff: Although the first station indicates that the confirmation of death will take place in his private chapel, instead of in the room and the body will immediately be placed in the only wooden coffin with a zinc interior, before being transferred directly to the basilica.
Previously, the pope’s body was moved to the chapel of the Apostolic Palacesince the pontiff resided there, but Francisco lives in the residence of the Santa Marta House, so this step has been eliminated.
Some passages of the so-called second station have also been specified.: since the deposition in the coffin has already taken place after the confirmation of death, the coffin is closed on the eve of the funeral mass.
In the Vatican basilicathe body of the deceased pope is displayed directly in the open coffin, but not in a catafalque as it had been until now and Nor will the papal staff be placed next to the coffin during this exhibition.
Finally, in the third station, which includes the transfer of the coffin to the tomb and the burial, the tradition of burying the popes in three coffins is eliminated: “one of cypress, a second of lead and a third of oak and another of wood.”
Furthermore, following the model of bishops’ funerals, simpler titles will be used during religious ceremonies, as “pope”, “bishop of Rome” and “Pastor” eliminating, for example, “Roman Pontiff”.
Although the figure of the camerlegno is maintained, the person who deals with various issues in the absence of the pope, the so-called “Apostolic Chamber” has been eliminated. a college of ecclesiastics that assists the cardinal camerlegno during the management of the Vacant See.
(With information from EFE)
