Pope Francis was laid out in an open coffin in St Peter’s Basilica for three days. The funeral service and burial followed on Saturday. Every detail of the long ceremony has been organised.
The funeral service and burial of a pope follow strict rules that have been changed again and again over the centuries. Most recently, Pope Francis has significantly streamlined and simplified the rites. Nevertheless, the process is long and solemn. The Catholic News Agency (KNA) answers important questions about the funeral service and burial of the Pope on Saturday.
What happens before the funeral service?
On Friday evening, high-ranking clergy led by the chamberlain, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, will close the coffin. First, the face of the deceased is covered, then the official pontifical certificate and some actual coins are placed in the coffin. The coffin is then closed with two lids: one made of zinc and one made of wood. Latin psalms are sung during the ceremony. At the end, the celebrant says the words that are also customary at other funeral services: “Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine.” (Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord).
How does the funeral service in St Peter’s Square begin?
Accompanied by the Latin chant with the words “Requiem aeternam…” and a psalm, the coffin is carried into St Peter’s Square. The actual funeral mass takes place there. It is celebrated by the Dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re. After an introductory prayer, the service begins with two readings from the Bible. Then the text from the Gospel of John is read, which tells of the calling of the apostle Peter by Jesus (John 21: 15-19). This is followed by the Cardinal Dean’s sermon.
What prayers and hymns are there in the service?
The sermon is followed by Latin intercessions for the deceased pope, for the Church, for the peoples of the world, for all deceased popes and for all those who have died. During communion, the psalm “De profundis” (“From the depths I call to you Lord”) is sung.
What happens during the farewell rite in St Peter’s Square?
At the end of the service, there is a special farewell rite, known in Latin as “commendatio et valedictio”. It begins with a long litany of all saints, in which the names of the holy popes from the 1st to the 21st century are also mentioned. This is followed by chants from the Byzantine liturgy in Greek. At the end, the celebrant commends the deceased to God’s mercy.
How is the coffin transferred to the place of burial?
As at most Catholic funerals, the song “May angels escort you to paradise” (Latin: In paradisum deducant te Angeli) is sung before the departure. This is followed by a journey through the city to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. Along the approximately six-kilometre route, people have one last opportunity to bid farewell to Pope Francis. The last transfer of a pope through Rome took place in 1978, when Paul VI was brought from his place of death in Castelgandolfo to the Vatican.
How does the funeral take place?
Led by the chamberlain, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, around 50 clergymen as well as relatives and friends of the Pope take part in the funeral in a side chapel of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. Four psalms are followed by prayers for the deceased and an Our Father. Then the prayer “Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine” is recited again. As the coffin is lowered into the ground, everyone sings the Marian hymn “Salve Regina”.
What follows after the burial?
A certificate of burial is drawn up and read out. This concludes the actual funeral service for the Pope. Over the next eight days, there will be another Mass for the Pope every day in St Peter’s Basilica. Once the tombstone has been completed, the faithful will then have the opportunity to make a pilgrimage to Pope Francis’ final resting place in Santa Maria Maggiore and pray there.
