Faster funerals for Popes. Pope Francis sets the new rules

Streamlined funerals for Popes. A new edition of the liturgical book for the Pope’s funeral has been published. Among the innovations introduced there is the observation of death no longer in the deceased’s room but in the chapel, the immediate deposition inside the coffin, the exposure to the veneration of the faithful of the Pope’s body already inside the open coffin, the elimination of the traditional three coffins of cypress, lead and oak.

Another new element consists in the introduction of the necessary indications for possible burial in a place other than the Vatican Basilica. The Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff oversaw the drafting and publication of the second typical edition of the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis, approved on 29 April 2024 by Pope Francis, who received the first copy of the volume printed last 4 November.

“A second edition was necessary – explained Archbishop Diego Ravelli, Master of the Liturgical Celebrations of Pontiffs – first of all because Pope Francis asked, as declared by himself on several occasions, to simplify and adapt some rites so that the celebration of the funeral of the Bishop of Rome would better express the Church’s faith in the Risen Christ. Furthermore, the renewed rite had to highlight even more that the funeral of the Roman Pontiff is that of a pastor and disciple of Christ and not of a powerful man of this world”.

The three classic “stations” have been maintained, the one in the home of the deceased, the one in the Vatican Basilica and the place of burial. “However – explains Archbishop Ravelli – the internal structure of the stations and texts has been revised in the light of the experience gained with the funerals of Saint John Paul II and Benedict XVI, of the current theological and ecclesial sensitivity and of the books recently renovated liturgical buildings”.

Among the most important innovations, the simplification of pontifical titles: the terminology used in the third edition of the Missale Romanum (2008) has been resumed, i.e. the names of Pope, Episcopus (Romae) and Pastor, while in the general premises and in the rubrics the expression Romanus Pontifex was opted for, in accordance with the title of the liturgical book. The first station “in the house of the deceased” includes the novelties of the confirmation of death in his private chapel, rather than in the room, and the deposition of the body in the single wooden coffin and in the internal zinc one, before being moved to the Basilica.

The first translation to the Apostolic Palace has been eliminated. Some passages have been better clarified by also reshaping the second station: since the deposition in the coffin has already taken place after the confirmation of death, the evening before the funeral Mass it is closed. The second station “in the Vatican Basilica” considers a single translation into St. Peter’s, the closing of the coffin and the funeral Mass. In the Vatican Basilica the body of the deceased Pope is displayed directly in the coffin and “no longer on a high bier”, furthermore, in accordance with what is established by the Cremoniale Episcoporum for the funeral of the diocesan bishop, during this exposition the papal crosier will not be placed next to the coffin.

Finally, the third station “in the burial place” includes the translation of the coffin to the tomb and the burial. “This station – explains Ravelli – has undergone a significant streamlining due to the elimination of the deposition and closure of the cypress coffin in a second of lead and a third of oak or other wood”.