Vatican Reveals Pope Francis' Final Request

Catholics and those of many faiths are in mourning today, as Pope Francis, the Bishop of Rome and Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church, has passed away at 88 years old. Vatican camerlengo Cardinal Kevin Farrell delivered the sad news on April 21 in a statement to the public.

Now, the Vatican has revealed that Pope Francis had one final request before his passing.

According to the Vatican, a public viewing for Pope Francis could take place as early as the morning of April 23. At that viewing in the past, some previous popes have had their bodies embalmed and set on a pedestal for the event. But, Pope Francis requested his body to stay in a coffin and not on a pedestal, according to the Vatican, deviating from some leaders in the past.

In April 2024, Pope Francis approved a new edition of the liturgical book for papal funeral rites, which will be followed for the upcoming funeral mass for Francis. The new edition of the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis includes a handful of changes, including how the pope's mortal remains are to be dealt with after passing away.

"The ascertainment of death takes place in the chapel, rather than in the room where he died, and his body is immediately placed inside the coffin," the statement reads, according to the Vatican News.

"According to Archbishop Diego Ravelli, Master of Apostolic Ceremonies, the late Pope Francis had requested that the funeral rites be simplified and focused on expressing the faith of the Church in the Risen Body of Christ," the statement adds.

Archbishop Ravelli also said in a statement, via the Vatican News, "The renewed rite seeks to emphasize even more that the funeral of the Roman Pontiff is that of a pastor and disciple of Christ and not of a powerful person of this world."

Related: Vatican Releases Full Statement on Pope Francis Passing Away