7 Interesting Facts About Pope Francis' Funeral

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, following a cerebral stroke and subsequent cardiac complications. His death occurred just hours after delivering an Easter blessing from the Vatican.​ In accordance with his wishes for simplicity, Pope Francis's funeral was held on April 26, 2025, at 10:00 AM local time in St. Peter's Square, Rome.

Here are some interesting facts about Pope Francis' funeral:

1. First Pope Buried Outside the Vatican in Over 120 Years

• Pope Francis chose to be buried at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore instead of inside St. Peter's Basilica.

• This was a major break from tradition - the last pope buried outside the Vatican was Pope Leo XIII in 1903!

 2. No Triple Coffin

• Traditionally, popes are buried in three coffins (wood, lead, and wood again), symbolizing mortality, preservation, and respect.

• Francis opted for a simple, single wooden casket, lined with zinc - reflecting his lifelong humility.

 3. He Rewrote His Own Funeral Plans

• In 2024, Pope Francis personally updated the Vatican's funeral protocols to simplify the ceremonies.

• His instructions emphasized prayer, simplicity, and charity over pomp and tradition.

4. A Massive Global Audience

• Over 250,000 people attended the funeral in St. Peter's Square.

• Millions more watched globally - especially across Latin America, where he was beloved as the first Latin American pope.

 5. Unexpected Attendees

• Political leaders from all sides of global tensions attended: Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Emmanuel Macron, Volodymyr Zelensky, and even the Prince of Wales.

• It became a rare moment of global unity and respect.

 6. Very Few Family Members

• Only his nephew, Mauro Bergoglio, attended.

• His sister, Maria Elena, was too ill to travel, and some relatives had distanced themselves from Church matters, respecting his wishes for a modest, private family presence.

 7. Burial Items

• Inside his coffin, Pope Francis requested just a simple rosary and copies of his papal documents - no expensive relics or regalia.

 

 

 

 

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