With April 21, Vatican’s traditional funeral rites once again occupy the center of world attention. Marked by symbolism and solemnity, these ceremonies include the public exposure of the Pontiff’s body for several days in the Basilica of St. Peter, allowing faithful to pay their last honors. The proper conservation of the corpse is essential in this process – although it has not always been well performed.
One of the most emblematic and embarrassing cases of recent history of the Catholic Church occurred in 1958, with the death of Pope Pius XII, also known as “Papa Pacelli.” The attempt to preserve his body with an experimental method resulted in rapid decomposition, bad smell and even an explosion inside the coffin during the procession.
Embarrassing end
Pius XII passed away in 1958 at the Summer Residence Papal in Castel Gandolfo after a cardiac arrest. Beside him was ophthalmologist Riccardo Galeazzi-Lisi, who held the position of Vatican Official doctor, the “Pontifical Architerate.” Galeazzi-Lisi was a controversial figure involved in controversies. Days before Pius XII’s death, he sold photos of the hospitalized pontiff to the French magazine Paris Matchgesture that shocked the Vatican.
The true disaster, however, occurred after death. Ignoring traditional conservation methods, Galeazzi-Lisi convinced the Pope to adopt an alternative procedure called “aromatic osmosis”, supposedly inspired by the practices of early Christians. The technique consisted of applying oils, herbs and resins directly to the body, wrapped in cellophane.
Collapse
At first dawn after death, the result was disastrous. The heat of the Italian autumn accelerated the accumulation of rotting gases, causing visible swelling in the body. Papal court guards fainted due to the bad smell, and surveillance shifts were reduced to prevent someone from remaining long near the corpse.
The apex of the disaster occurred during the transfer of the body to the Basilica of St. Peter: an explosion inside the coffin, caused by the pressure of the gases, scared the occupants of the funeral vehicle. During an emergency stop at the St. John Lateran standards, repairs were in a hurry, while the strong decomposition odor dominated the environment.
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Disfigured face
Upon arriving at the Vatican, the body had serious signs of decomposition: darkened skin, collapsed nasal septum and withdrawn facial muscles, exposing his teeth in a “macabre smile,” as historian Antonio Margheriti described. A team of tanatopraxists was called to intervene emergency. The body was refimerated and a wax and latex mask was applied to the pontiff’s face. Despite the efforts, the swollen aspect of the corpse remained visible during the nine days of mourning.
Vatican Expulsion
The scandal had serious consequences for Galeazzi-Lisi. Although it was not formally responsible for decomposition, he was expelled from the Vatican by the cardinals even before the conclave that elected John XXIII. Your method has never been used in papal funerals. Galeazzi-Lisi passed away in 1968.
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In contrast, the funeral of João XXIII was considered an example of successful conservation. The body was embalmed by Professor Gennaro Goglia, using a formaldehyde solution applied by the arteries, ensuring preservation throughout the public exposure.
