Pope Francis “returned to the home of the Father,” and the news of his passing, mere hours after his final public appearance, sent waves of grief and sorrow through the Christian world.
On Sunday, he greeted crowds at the Easter Sunday Service and gave his ‘Urbi et Orbi’ benediction from a balcony facing the Piazza.
He addressed the crowds with the words, “Brothers and sisters, Happy Easter!”
Pope Francis led a very modest life, and he remained simple even in death.
His last wishes, including his resting place, break centuries of Vatican tradition.
By his own request, the pontiff will not be buried in the Vatican, but in the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.
In his will, he wrote, “I wish that my last earthly journey conclude precisely in this ancient Marian sanctuary where I went for prayer at the beginning and end of each Apostolic Journey to confidently entrust my intentions to the Immaculate Mother and thank Her for her docile and maternal care. I ask that my tomb be prepared in the niche of the side nave between the Pauline Chapel (Chapel of the Salus Populi Romani) and the Sforza Chapel of the aforementioned Papal Basilica as indicated in the enclosed attachment.”
He also wished that no inscriptions on the tomb mention his role as Pope.
“The tomb must be in the earth; simple, without particular decoration and with the only inscription: Franciscus. The expenses for the preparation of my burial will be covered by the sum of the benefactor that I have arranged, to be transferred to the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore and of which I have provided appropriate instructions to Mons. Rolandas Makrickas, Extraordinary Commissioner of the Liberian Chapter,” Francis continued.
“May the Lord give the deserved reward to those who have loved me and will continue to pray for me. The suffering that has become present in the last part of my life I have offered to the Lord for peace in the world and brotherhood among peoples.”
On Wednesday, his body was moved to St Peter’s Basilica, where it will lie in state for three days ahead of his funeral on Saturday which is expected to be attended by hundreds of thousands of believers and world leaders.
The first image of Pope Francis lying in repose was shared on Tuesday by the Vatican.
He was seen in the open casket, dressed in red vestments and a rosary folded into his hands.
Also, several symbolic items are placed into his casket. The miter, Francis’ hat, the crozier, or pastoral staff, and a small bag of coins minted during his reign.
Along with these items, a legal document called a rogito, which records Pope Francis’ life, is also placed in the casket. A copy of it is kept in the Vatican’s archives.
His broken Fisherman’s Ring, which is ceremonially destroyed before burial to signify the end of a pope’s reign, is in the casket as well.
While most of the popes are buried in elaborate triple caskets made of cypress, lead, and oak, Pope Francis’ wish was his to be plain, made of simple wood lined with zinc.
Vatican confirmed Pope Francis’ funeral to be on April 26 at 10 AM local time in St. Peter’s Square.
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