Pope Francis’s Final Farewell: A Humble Resting Place for a Humble Man
The photos of Pope Francis lying in repose reveal far more than meets the eye. Every carefully chosen detail — from his untraditional casket to the personal items placed beside him — tells the story of a man who defied expectations and reshaped the papacy on his own terms.
As the world mourns the passing of the beloved 88-year-old pontiff, his final resting display is a powerful reflection of the values he lived by: simplicity, compassion, and care for the marginalized.
A Legacy Etched in Symbols
On Tuesday, the Vatican released the first images of Pope Francis in repose, offering a glimpse into the deeply personal and symbolic farewell he orchestrated before his death.
The Pope lies in an open casket, dressed in red vestments — a color traditionally symbolizing martyrdom and the blood of Christ. In his hands, a simple rosary is gently folded. Near him rest a mitre (the papal hat), a crozier (his pastoral staff), and a set of commemorative coins minted during his time as pontiff — a centuries-old symbol of papal reign.
One especially meaningful item inside the coffin is the rogito — a sealed document summarizing the major moments of his life and pontificate. On his right hand, he wears the broken Fisherman’s Ring, ceremonially destroyed before burial to symbolize the end of his papal authority. Once used to seal personal documents, the ring’s destruction also prevents future misuse.
A Radical Simplicity
In life, Pope Francis was known for eschewing luxury — and his final arrangements reflect that same humility.
Breaking from centuries of Vatican tradition, he declined the customary triple coffin (cypress, lead, and oak), opting instead for a single, modest wooden casket lined with zinc. The ornate public display inside St. Peter’s Basilica has also been scaled down. Rather than being placed on a raised bier, his casket rests at floor level, facing the pews — allowing mourners to pay their respects in a quiet, personal way.
Nearby, the Paschal candle flickers gently — a symbol of resurrection and eternal light.
Burial Outside Vatican Walls
In perhaps the most striking break from tradition, Pope Francis will not be buried in the grottoes beneath St. Peter’s Basilica, where nearly 90 previous popes are entombed.
Instead, honoring his own wishes, he will be laid to rest at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome’s Esquilino neighborhood. It’s a site close to his heart — one he often visited in moments of prayer throughout his papacy.
Funeral Plans and Public Farewell
The Vatican has confirmed that the funeral will take place at 10:00 AM local time on Saturday, April 26, in St. Peter’s Square. The ceremony is expected to draw world leaders, religious figures, and thousands of mourners.
Beginning Wednesday, his body will lie in state inside St. Peter’s Basilica. The procession will be led by Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, the current camerlengo, who will begin the traditional chant of the Litany of Saints as Francis’s body is brought in.
In keeping with his wishes, the ceremony will forgo many of the grand trappings of past papal funerals, favoring a stripped-back service that centers faith and humility.
A Final Message in Silence
In death, as in life, Pope Francis chose to walk a quieter path — one defined not by grandeur, but by purpose. His final moments, marked by simplicity and intention, send a lasting message: that true greatness lies in service, not ceremony.
His legacy won’t be remembered by the gold of his garments or the weight of tradition, but by the gentle strength with which he led — and t he powerful silence of a wooden coffin that says everything it needs to.
