Preparations are underway for the Pope Funeral of Pope Francis, an event expected to draw enormous crowds to Rome while marking a significant departure from centuries of Vatican tradition. Unlike his predecessors, Pope Francis requested a burial ceremony reflecting the simple lifestyle he cultivated throughout his papacy.
Francis' body has been lying in state at St. Peter's Basilica since Wednesday, allowing the faithful to pay respects. Tens of thousands have already filed past the pontiff's coffin, a plain wooden one, notably different from the elaborate, nested three-coffin setup long used for Roman Catholic leaders. Crowds continue to gather in St. Peter's Square ahead of the main service.
The change in coffin is just one element of a simplified procedure for papal funeral rituals approved by Pope Francis himself in 2024. The new rules allow for burial outside the Vatican, a break from more than a century of tradition. Francis wished for a simple tomb in the ground at the Basilica of St Mary Major.
This desire for simplicity extends to the expected cost. While the Vatican has not released figures, Pope Francis’ funeral is anticipated to be less costly than those of his predecessors. Historically, papal transitions have involved significant expenditures, with the 1978 deaths of two popes and a conclave reportedly costing $20 million at the time.
More recently, Pope John Paul II's funeral in 2005 involved costs estimated at $9 million. The Vatican relies on various income sources, including donations and investments, but has faced financial headwinds in recent years, reporting a budget shortfall last year. Pope Francis spearheaded financial reforms during his tenure, sometimes clashing with officials over spending.
World leaders, including United States President Donald Trump, are expected to attend the Pope Funeral service slated for Saturday morning. Pilgrims also continue to flock to St. Peter's ahead of the ceremony, with hotels in the immediate vicinity of Vatican City reportedly booked solid for the next week. People wanting to see Francis one last time have come thousands of miles.
Even as ancient Vatican rituals persist, like the Swiss Guards accompanying the procession in traditional uniforms, other historical elements disappear. The pallbearers, for instance, are a remnant of the papal sediari who once carried popes on a throne, a practice ended under Pope John Paul II.
For many, Pope Francis's decision for simpler burial rites and a location outside the Vatican underscores his focus on humility over historical grandeur. "It's about symbols, because in Catholicism, symbols are very important, and this is one of those cases," said Massimo Faggioli, a professor of Theology and Religious Studies.
