The photos of Pope Francis lying lifeless in his coffin reveal far more than meets the eye — and every detail tells a story.
From the untraditional casket to the personal items placed alongside his body, the late pontiff’s final resting display breaks centuries of Vatican tradition — by his own request.
As the world bids farewell to Pope Francis, his coming burial will reflect the very values he championed throughout his life. Known for his simplicity, humility, and unwavering care for the marginalized, Pope Francis’s final resting place is a powerful testament to the legacy he leaves behind.
And the personal items he chose to accompany him will serve as a final reminder of a life dedicated to service, love, and change.
The beloved 88-year-old pontiff passed away Monday following a devastating stroke that caused irreversible heart failure. After weeks of battling pneumonia, the Argentine-born spiritual leader died peacefully at the Vatican.
What’s inside the Pope’s casket?
On Tuesday, the Vatican shared the first powerful images of Pope Francis lying in repose. The photos revealed the meaningful items placed with him for his final journey.
His coffin, watched over by ceremonial guards, stood quietly as Vatican officials and members of his household gathered for a private and respectful goodbye.
In the photos released, Francis lies in an open casket dressed in red vestments — a color symbolizing martyrdom and the blood of Christ. A rosary is gently folded into his hands.
Also placed inside the coffin are his mitre (traditional papal hat), his crozier (the pastoral staff) and a collection of coins minted during his papacy — a centuries-old tradition symbolizing his time as the Vicar of Christ.
In the coffin there is also a rogito, a sealed legal document summarizing his life and pontificate. On his right hand, the Pope is wearing the broken Fisherman’s Ring, which is ceremonially destroyed before burial to signify the end of a pope’s reign.
The destruction also serves to ensure that the ring cannot be misused after the pope’s death, as it was originally designed as a seal for the pope’s personal letters.
A look at the coffin
Pope Francis’s death marks a sharp departure from the long-standing traditions of papal funerals, and a glance at his coffin is all it takes to see how.
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Unlike previous popes, such as the late Pope Benedict, who were buried in elaborate triple coffins made of cypress, lead, and oak, Francis chose simplicity.
His coffin is a modest wooden structure lined with zinc, reflecting his commitment to humility. The traditional papal farewell, where the Pope’s body would be placed on a catafalque inside St. Peter’s Basilica for public mourning, has also been abandoned.
Instead, Francis’s body will rest inside the coffin with its lid removed, inviting mourners to pay their respects in a more intimate and personal way.
And for the first time in over a century, a pope will be buried outside the Vatican.
Pope Francis will be laid to rest at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome’s Esquilino neighborhood, rather than in the grottoes beneath St. Peter’s, where the tombs of around 90 popes are located.
When and where is the funeral?
The Vatican confirmed that Pope Francis’ funeral will take place on Saturday, April 26 at 10 AM local time in St. Peter’s Square.
After the public ceremony, his body will be transported to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome’s Esquilino neighborhood — the same place where Francis once said he wanted to be laid to rest.
Starting Wednesday, his body will lie in state in St. Peter’s Basilica. As the body is brought into the basilica, the solemn chant of the Litany of Saints will fill the air, led by the camerlengo at the front of the procession. Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, who was appointed by Pope Francis back in 2019, currently serves as the camerlengo.
In a shift from long-held tradition, Pope Francis’ body is not going to placed on an elevated bier. Instead, his simple wooden coffin rests at floor level, facing the pews, with the Paschal candle standing close by — a quiet symbol of faith and light.
As the world continues to mourn the loss of Pope Francis, it’s the quiet, personal details — from his humble wooden coffin to the stripped-back ceremony — that speak the loudest.
In death, just as in life, he chose simplicity, compassion, and a break from tradition. And it’s those choices that may define his legacy more than any grand procession ever could.
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