who purposely eschews the pomp and perks that come with his position as head of the Roman Catholic Church, has decided that a simple, wooden casket will suffice when it comes time for his funeral.
It was officially announced today that Francis will abandon a centuries-old practice of burying the pontiff in three caskets in a row, made of cypress, lead and oak. Instead, he will be buried in a simple, zinc-coated wooden coffin.
Francis’ body will also not be exposed for popular pilgrimage on a raised platform in St. Peter’s Basilica, as was the case with his predecessors. Visitors will be able to pay their respects, but his body will remain inside the casket, with the lid closed.
Francis, who will turn 88 on December 17, has been dealing with various health problems in recent years, but for the past few months he seems to be in good condition. He uses a wheelchair to get around because of knee and back pain, but in September he made two demanding trips abroad and in October he hosted a meeting of Roman Catholic leaders at the Vatican.
He asked to be buried in Rome
Already last year, Francis had said that he wanted to simplify the magnificent ceremonies organized for the funerals of his predecessors. He will also become the first pope in over a century to be buried outside the Vatican. Instead of being buried in St. Peter’s Basilica, where 91 pontiffs rest, Francis prefers the Basilica of the Virgin Mary in Rome, because it is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. He goes to this church to pray before and after his trips abroad.
The last pope to be buried outside the Vatican was Leo XIII, who died in 1903 and rests in the Basilica of St. John Lateran, Rome.
The three coffins are traditionally used for burial to hermetically seal the body of the pontiff. Coins or decrees issued by the pope during his term are thus also allowed to be buried with him.
SOURCE: APE-ME
