- Pope Francis’ casket was sealed in St. Peter’s Basilica on Friday, April 25 after three days of public visitation
- The traditional funeral rites for popes were performed, including the placing of a white veil over his face
- Coins minted during his papacy were also placed in the coffin before it was closed
Pope Francis‘ casket has been sealed shut ahead of his funeral in a private ceremony.
The pontiff’s casket was closed in St. Peter’s Basilica on Friday, April 25, after three days of public visitation during which an estimated 250,000 mourners paid their final respects, according to the Vatican.
“The ceremony, led by Cardinal-Camerlengo Kevin Farrell, began with the reading of a document listing the stages of Jorge Mario Bergoglio’s life and his most important activities as Pope,” according to the Vatican. “It stated that the memory of the 266th Pope ‘remains in the heart of the Church and of all humanity.’ “
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Then a white silk cloth was spread over Francis’ face and he was sprinkled with holy water. Additionally, a bag containing coins and medals that were minted during his pontificate were placed in the coffin.
“The lid was then placed on the zinc coffin, along with Francis’ cross and coat of arms and a plaque with the Pope’s name and the duration of his life and Petrine ministry, while psalms were sung,” the Vatican said.
Afterwards, Francis’ casket was sealed.
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Before his death at age 88, the pontiff outlined different burial plans from previous popes including that he wanted to be buried “in the ground, without particular decoration” and with the inscription of his papal name in Latin — “Franciscus” — according to Reuters.
Austen Ivereigh, Francis’ biographer, told the BBC that coins minted during his papacy — one for each year of his 12-year tenure — will be placed in a bag in his coffin.
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Unlike previous popes who were buried in St. Peter’s Basilica, Francis opted to break with tradition and be interred in St. Mary Major, his favorite church.
Several world leaders who are set to attend the pope’s funeral on Saturday, April 26, include U.S. President Donald Trump and Prince William, who will be making the journey on behalf of his father King Charles and the rest of the British royal family.
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Francis died on Monday, April 21, at 7:35 a.m., according to the Vatican. His official cause of death was later confirmed to be a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse.
The pontiff was also affected by a “previous episode of acute respiratory failure in bilateral multimicrobial pneumonia, multiple bronchiectasis, arterial hypertension, and type II diabetes,” the church said.
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In the final hours before his death, Francis delivered his yearly blessing for Easter as well as an address through Cardinal Angelo Comastri, who led Mass at Saint Peter’s Square. Additionally, he met with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and had “a quiet dinner” before his health deteriorated quickly on Monday morning. An hour after the “first signs of the sudden illness” appeared about 5:30 a.m., he fell into a coma.
“According to those who were with him in his final moments, he did not suffer. It all happened quickly,” the Vatican continued, describing Francis’ death as “discreet … almost sudden, without long suffering or public alarm.”
As for his final words, the Vatican said that saying “thank you” to his longtime health aide, Massimiliano Strappetti, was among his last messages.
