The Vatican on Tuesday released photos of Pope Francis in an open coffin in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta, dressed in a red robe with the papal mitre on his head and a rosary in his hand. The 88-year-old's funeral will be held on Saturday, April 26, at 10 AM local time at St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican said in a statement.
First photos of Pope Francis' coffin were released on Tuesday (AFP)
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Pope Francis passed away at his residence, Casa Santa Marta, on Monday. According to his death certificate released by the Vatican, the pope died of a stroke, causing a coma and ‘irreversible’ heart failure. He had been recovering after being hospitalized for five weeks with pneumonia. He made his last public appearance on Sunday, delivering an Easter blessing.
Why Pope Francis' coffin is not placed on a raised bier or catafalque
Traditional papal funerals have involved having three coffins, one made out of cypress wood, one of lead, and one of elm. They are placed one inside the other. The body is placed inside and then buried beneath St Peter's.
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However, Pope Francis shunned all these traditions. In April 2024, he approved simplified rules. People will be able to see his body in the basilica, but in a simple coffin made of wood. The casket will not be placed on a platform - a bier, which is a stand used to support a coffin, or a catafalque, which is a more elaborate, decorated, and often raised bier.
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However, Pope Francis shunned all these traditions. In April 2024, he approved simplified rules. People will be able to see his body in the basilica, but in a simple coffin made of wood. The casket will not be placed on a platform - a bier, which is a stand used to support a coffin, or a catafalque, which is a more elaborate, decorated, and often raised bier.
In an interview in 2023, Francis said he would not be buried in the Vatican. He would be laid to rest in his tomb at the Santa Maria Maggiore basilica in Rome’s Esquilino neighbourhood.
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Francis stopped by the basilica on his way home from the Gemelli hospital on March 23, after his 38-day hospital stay. He returned April 12 to pray before the Madonna for the last time.
Yash Bajaj is a Chief Content Producer with a strong foundation in US coverage, digital strategy, and audience-focused storytelling. As part of the US Desk at Hindustan Times, he covers a wide range of topics - from American politics to sports (NFL, NBA, derbies, MLB and more). Before joining Hindustan Times, Yash served as Deputy News Editor at Times Now, where he oversaw international coverage and led a team of six. In this role, he significantly expanded global traffic through strategic planning, SEO-driven content execution, and meticulous trend tracking across platforms. He is experienced in managing high-pressure breaking-news shifts, coordinating live coverage, and building newsroom systems that improve speed, accuracy, and reach. Prior to Times Now, Yash held a position at Opoyi, where he headed the Sports and US news team. He developed broad editorial strategies, guided reporters across multiple beats, and played a key role in recruiting and training new talent. His responsibilities also extended to social media management and experimenting with innovative content formats. A passionate NFL fan, Yash is a die-hard supporter of the Cincinnati Bengals and has followed Joe Burrow closely since his college days at LSU. Whether breaking down top players' latest performance, analyzing team performances, or tracking roster moves, he brings the same dedication and sharp storytelling to his sports coverage as he does to American politics and breaking news. When he’s not writing, Yash can often be found watching games or debating the latest NFL storylines with fellow fans. Yash holds a Bachelor of Mass Media (Journalism) from HR College, Mumbai University. His interests extend well beyond the newsroom: he is an enthusiastic explorer of AI tools, a movie buff with an ever-growing watchlist, and someone who enjoys unraveling conspiracy theories for fun.
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Home/World News/The real reason Pope Francis' simple coffin is not placed on a raised bier or catafalque
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