A Look Inside Pope Francis’ Funeral Rites and His Final Wish
As the world mourns the loss of Pope Francis, the first Jesuit and South American pope, attention has turned to the carefully orchestrated funeral rites that honor centuries of tradition while reflecting the unique simplicity he embraced throughout his papacy. Pope Francis, who led the Roman Catholic Church with humility, compassion, and reform-minded zeal, had expressed clear intentions for how he wanted to be remembered—and laid to rest.
The funeral rites of a pope follow an established protocol rooted in ancient customs, yet Francis, ever the reformer, made requests that added a personal and spiritual touch to the proceedings. Following his passing, his body was placed in St. Peter’s Basilica, allowing the faithful to pay their respects during a period of lying in state. Thousands flowed into the basilica, many bearing candles, rosaries, and handwritten prayers. Unlike past popes who were buried in ornate vestments and elaborate coffins, Francis had asked for simplicity. He chose to be buried in a plain wooden casket, eschewing lavish embellishments in favor of humble symbolism.
The funeral Mass, held in St. Peter’s Square, was attended by world leaders, cardinals, and millions of faithful Catholics both in person and via broadcast. Pope Francis had left instructions for a service focused not on grandeur, but on mercy, love, and the hope of resurrection. His long-time friend and theological companion, Cardinal Óscar Rodríguez Maradiaga, delivered the homily, which emphasized Francis’ legacy of inclusion, service to the marginalized, and his unwavering call for peace and ecological justice.
One of the most emotional moments came during the offertory procession, which featured refugees, disabled individuals, and people from across continents whom Francis had supported or inspired. The diversity on display was a powerful reminder of how deeply his message had resonated globally. Instead of a procession of opulence, the focus was on human dignity and spiritual humility—values Pope Francis championed to the very end.
In accordance with his final wish, Pope Francis requested not to be buried in the grand papal tombs beneath St. Peter’s Basilica. Instead, he asked for a modest burial in the Vatican Gardens, close to where Pope John Paul I and Pope Paul VI were laid to rest. The decision, symbolic of his lifelong devotion to humility, mirrored his papal motto: Miserando atque eligendo—”by having mercy and by choosing him.”
Though his earthly presence has come to a close, Pope Francis’ influence is expected to endure. His papacy challenged entrenched norms and opened new avenues for dialogue, compassion, and change within the Church. As bells tolled across Rome and choirs sang the Latin In Paradisum, the world bid farewell not just to a pope, but to a shepherd who truly lived among his flock.
His final wish was simple: “Remember me not for titles, but for my love.” And that love, deeply felt by millions, is the legacy he leaves behind.
