The little-known rites that follow the death of a pope
The disappearance of the head of the Catholic Church triggers a series of immutable rituals . His personal apartments—in this case, the modest Domus Sanctae Marthae chosen by Francis—are sealed with wax to preserve their integrity.
His will, if there is one, is read before the College of Cardinals. Several days of reflection precede the funeral, scheduled between April 24 and 27 .
In accordance with his wishes, the funeral will be bare, without the traditional triple coffin. A simple wooden chest with a zinc coating will hold his remains.
The spiritual legacy of a pope of the people
The destruction of the Fisherman’s Ring symbolically closes a pontificate , but the essential remains: his message of humility, charity and closeness to the excluded .
With this ritual gesture, the Catholic Church closes an important chapter in its history… and prepares to begin a new one .
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