James O'Reilly
April 23 was another historic moment for 2025: it was the day Pope Francis’s remains left Santa Marta for their public display in St. Peter's Basilica.
There, Pope Francis lay in state for the three following days, during which lines of faithful from around the world came to pay final respects.
But the pope's death also brought changes—Pope Francis had wanted everything to be simpler than usual. For this reason, his body was not placed on an elevated structure known as a catafalque, as was done by his predecessors.
FR. LEONARDO CARDOZA
Doctor of Liturgy
We find it [the Pope's body] directly on the coffin, uncovered. This is also a difference from many things that were thought would not be this way. Uncovered, let's say, we can observe, look at Pope Francis. And yet, the rites surrounding the celebration of the funeral Mass remain unchanged.
After three days of lying in state in St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Francis's coffin was closed. Some of the Argentinian pope's relatives were present.
After reading the Rogito, a Latin text on the life and work of Pope Francis, it was placed in a metal tube sealed with the stamp of the Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff. It was then placed in the coffin along with the coins and medals minted during Pope Francis's years at the helm of the Catholic Church.
The Master of Ceremonies, Archbishop Diego Ravelli, was in charge of covering the pope's face with a white veil ,and then the coffin of Pope Francis was closed for good.
