How do you say farewell to a pope? Examining papal funerals
A photograph shows a detail of St Peters' baldachin, a large Baroque sculpted bronze canopy over the high altar of St. Peter's Basilica during a mass for Sunday of the Word of God on January 21, 2024 in The Vatican. The baldachin above the main altar, marks the place of the Tomb of the Apostle Peter to whom the Basilica of St. Peter is dedicated and should be restored before the 2025 Jubilee wanted by Pope Francis.
Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP
The passing of a pope is a moment of global significance, marked by deep sorrow, reverence, and a carefully structured set of rituals that have evolved over centuries. The Catholic Church, with its nearly two millennia of tradition, ensures that the transition from one papacy to the next is carried out with solemnity, respect, and unwavering faith in the continuity of its mission.
While Pope Francis, known for his humility and dedication to the poor, has simplified certain aspects of his eventual funeral rites, the essence of the process remains a sacred tradition, followed by billions of Catholics worldwide.
The rituals of passing
Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, the current camerlengo
Romanuspontifex
The official confirmation of a pope’s death follows a well-established procedure. The camerlengo, the papal chamberlain, enters the Holy Father’s private quarters and, in accordance with tradition, gently calls out his baptismal name three times. If no response is given, the anulus piscatoris, or Fisherman’s Ring — one of the primary symbols of the pope’s authority — is defaced, signifying the conclusion of his papacy. The papal apartments are then sealed, and the Vatican officially announces his passing to the world.
A nine-day period of mourning, known as the Novendiale, follows. Bells toll in Vatican City, and Italy typically declares a national mourning period. The pope’s body is prepared for public veneration, dressed in full papal vestments, and traditionally displayed on a raised platform, or catafalque, in St. Peter’s Basilica.
Pope Francis, however, has requested a simpler arrangement — his remains will rest in a single wooden coffin, accessible to all, without excessive grandeur.
A mass for the world
Cardinal Mauro Gambetti sprinkles water on the dead body of Benedict XVI as part of the funeral Rite of Reception
Agência Lusa | Wikimedia Commons
The pope’s funeral, held in St. Peter’s Square, draws an immense gathering of world leaders, cardinals, bishops, and ordinary Catholics, all coming together in a final tribute to the leader of the Church. The air resonates with the solemn chants of the Sistine Chapel Choir, while incense drifts skyward in an ancient symbol of prayer ascending to heaven.
Historically, the Dean of the College of Cardinals presides over the Requiem Mass.
