What to know about the funeral and burial of Pope Francis

New York (AP) – Pope Francis died on Easter Monday at the age of 88. His death muddled the entire Catholic world and began days of rituals in the Vatican.

Here, the keys to the funeral of the first Latin American pontiff in the history of the Church:

When and where is your funeral celebrated?

Its funeral is celebrated on Saturday in the Plaza de San Pedro. Francisco will be buried, following his will, in a simple underground tomb in the Basilica of Santa María la Mayor. The Church houses its favorite image of the Virgin Mary, who had a special devotion.

Carl sealing

The night before the funeral, the Camarlengo presided over the closure and seal of the coffin, in the presence of other high rank cardinals. A white cloth was placed on Francisco’s face.

In the coffin a bag containing coins coined during his papacy was introduced, as well as a story of a page of his time at the head of the church, known in Italian as a “prayer”, a word to refer to an official document. It was read aloud by the master of liturgical ceremonies, before being enrolled and introduced into a cylindrical tube that was placed in the coffin. In the Vatican files there is another copy. The covers of both the zinc and wood coffin carry a cross and Francisco’s papal shield.

Why not in the Vatican?

Francisco had expressed his desire not to be buried in the Basilica of San Pedro or in his Grutas, where most of his predecessors rest, but in the Basilica of Santa María la Mayor, on the other side of the city. The choice reflects its veneration by the image of the Virgin Mary who is there, the Salus Populi Romani (salvation of the people of Rome).

Before and after each trip abroad, Francisco went to the temple to pray before the Byzantine style painting that represents Mary, dressed in a blue mantle, holding the Child Jesus, who in turn holds a golden book with jewelry.

What dignitaries are expected to attend?

The assistance of heads of state is expected, including the president of the United States, Donald Trump; that of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and that of France, Emmanuel Macron. The list of high profile attendees includes Prince Guillermo of England, the president of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and that of the European Council, António Costa.

How long did the Pope work?

Francisco was in charge of the Church for 12 years, in which he captivated the world with his humility and concern for the poor. But Argentine also alienated conservatives with their criticisms of capitalism and climate change.

How do you choose a new Pope?

The death of a Pope begins a centenary ritual to choose his successor, which includes sacred oaths by the cardinals, the drilling of ballots with a needle and thread after counting and burn them to produce white or black smoke, which serves to indicate if there is a new leader for the 1,400 million Catholics in the world.

With the burial, the Catholic Church begins an official period of nine days, called “novels.” The date of the conclave has not yet been announced.

During the conclave, the cardinals vote in secret sessions and the ballots are destroyed after each session in a special stove. The black smoke indicates that there is no new pontiff and the target indicates that the cardinals have chosen the next leader of the Catholic Church.

Any Baptized Catholic man could take the position, although since 1378 he has only chosen Cardinals.

The winner must receive at least two thirds of the votes of cardinals under 80 years of age who can participate in the election.

Francisco appointed the vast majority of voters, often choosing religious to share their pastoral priorities, which suggests continuity instead of rupture.

Although it is impossible to predict who will be the next Pope, it is considered that some cardinals have more possibilities than others.

Is it like in the movie?

Yes and no. “Conclave”, the 2024 film, introduced many secular people to the old selection process with their archaic rules and pomp, although with a cinematographic turn full of palatial intrigues and surprises.

Vatican’s experts say that the film stands out in recreation of the appearance and the sensation of a conclave. But there are discrepancies, errors and some extravagant plots in the Hollywood version. And although the voting process was represented precisely, the ballots do not burn after each vote, but of each session.

Francisco’s legacy

Francisco was known for his personal simplicity: from the choice of his name in honor of San Francisco de Asís, who renounced wealth to help the poor, to the external symbols and priorities of his papacy.

He chose to live at the Hotel Domus Santa Marta del Vaticano instead of the Apostolic Palace and put on his old orthopedic shoes and not the Red Moccasins of the Papacy.

In his teachings, he focused on concern for refugees and other marginalized people. His first trip out of Rome, in 2013, went to the Sicilian Island of Lampedusa to meet with migrants. His call to host newcomers faced him with American and European politics.

He also showed a friendlier position towards people LGBTQ+, while making the fight against climate change a priority. He was the first pontiff to use scientific data into an important doctrinal document and turned the care of God’s creation into a distinctive seal of his papacy.

He avoided the great even in his departure, laying in a simple wooden coffin.

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This story was translated from English by an AP editor with the help of a generative artificial intelligence tool.