At 8 p.m. the ceremony of closing Pope Francis’s coffin began at St. Peter’s Basilica. It is a rare moment that drew the attention of hundreds of thousands of faithful and introduced new elements into Vatican funeral rites.
Symbolism and course of the coffin closing ceremony
The closing of Pope Francis’s coffin marks not only the end of the public viewing of the body, but also an important rite that signifies the passage to the “House of the Father.” The ceremony was attended by the most senior Church leaders, including Cardinal Chamberlain Kevin Farrell, Dean of the College of Cardinals Giovanni Battista Re, and papal almoner Cardinal Konrad Krajewski.
During the rite, among other things, a small bag of coins minted during Francis’s pontificate and a special rogito document, “Act of Passage to the House of the Father of His Holiness Francis,” were placed in the coffin. A rogito is a sealed and signed act that contains the most important information about the pope’s life and pontificate, from key religious events and encyclicals to cardinal appointments.
New traditions and simplifications
Pope Francis introduced significant changes to funeral rites. The traditional three coffins (cypress, lead and oak) were abandoned in favour of two: wooden and zinc. The pope’s body was displayed already in the coffin, not on a catafalque, which was meant to emphasise the simplicity and pastoral character of the farewell.
It is worth adding that the face of the Holy Father was covered with a white silk veil, a symbolic reference to the prayer for eternal light for the deceased.
Crowds of faithful and an exceptional atmosphere
St. Peter’s Basilica was open to the faithful until 7 p.m. Within just one day, over 50,000 people paid their respects to the Pope, and by Friday noon that number had risen to 150,000. This shows how great an authority Pope Francis enjoyed and how strong the emotions are over his passing.
After the coffin was closed, final preparations began for the Saturday funeral ceremony, which will take place in St. Peter’s Square, after which the funeral procession will travel to the Basilica of St. Mary Major, a place especially close to Francis’s heart.
What else was placed in the pope's coffin?
In addition to the rogito and coins, other symbols of the pontificate were also placed in the coffin, intended to recall the achievements and spiritual legacy of Pope Francis. It is a tradition that connects the history of the Church with the personal journey of each successor of St. Peter.
The most important items placed in the pope's coffin:
- The rogito document: a description of the pontificate and life
- Coins minted during the pontificate (as many as the years the pontificate lasted)
- Other symbols associated with the papal ministry
The ceremony of closing Pope Francis’s coffin is not only a farewell to a great spiritual leader, but also the beginning of a new chapter in the history of the Church. Simplified rituals and symbolic gestures, such as placing the rogito, highlight both the humility and the uniqueness of Francis’s pontificate. It is an event that will remain in the memory of the faithful around the world for a long time.
Komentarze