Pope Francis Laid to Rest in Open Coffin, Breaking Centuries-Old Tradition

Vatican City, 22 April 2025 — In an unprecedented and humble gesture, Pope Francis was laid to rest in an open coffin during the Rite of Confirmation of the Death of the Pontiff, held at the Chapel of Santa Marta in the Vatican. At 8:00 PM on Monday, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, presided over the rite of ascertainment of death and the placement of the late Pope Francis’ body in the coffin. This marks a significant break from centuries of papal tradition, as the late Pontiff was presented in a single coffin rather than the customary triple-nested one.

Those present included the Dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, and family members of the late Pope Francis, along with Dr. Andrea Arcangeli and Dr. Luigi Carbone, the Director and Deputy Director of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene, respectively.

Following the rite, Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, Director of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of the Vatican City State, confirmed that the Pope died after suffering a stroke, which led to a coma and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse.Cardinals from around the world assembled at the Vatican this morning to begin the formal process of preparing for Pope Francis’ funeral and the series of liturgical rites that symbolise both the close of one papacy and the transition to the next.

Over the coming days, the Congregation of Cardinals will oversee key responsibilities, including the late Pope’s burial arrangements, the planning of the conclave to elect his successor, and the governance of the Catholic Church during this period of 'sede vacante'.

By Catholic Connect Reporter