If you care about this things… here is the rite of the closing of the coffin of a pope. It might have some variations from JPII. They seemed not to want to treat Benedict XVI with the respect due to him so I am not sure what they did.
That said, news stories were going on about how humble Francis was in choosing a simple wood coffin. So did John Paul and so did Benedict. Wood coffin, as is that was that. However, in the video you can see that there was indeed a metal, lead- zinc-lined interior that was soldered and sealed shut. That’s the way it’s done. Also, you see someone put a bag into the coffin. It contains the annual medals struck during his time. That’s an ancient way of dating. Also, there is a sealed tube with a document, the Rogito, which probably relates the life and accomplishments of the one in the coffin. I would very much like to have a look at that if it is anywhere online. Did they include Pachamama, I wonder.
So… the video… HERE
UPDATE:
The Rogito does not mention Pachamama.
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Here you go:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-04/pope-francis-deed-rogito-coffin-life-petrine-ministry.html#:~:text=As%20per%20tradition%2C%20the%20Pope's,also%20placed%20inside%20the%20coffin.
Also, for comparison, Benedict XVI:
https://www.vatican.va/special/esequie-bxvi/documents/rogito-transito-benedetto-xvi_en.html
I noticed that as well, re. the lead-lined, standard issue coffin. The bag, Msgr. Landry tells us on EWTN, contains the medals and coins struck during the Francis pontificate.
Of interest, though I can find nothing about it, is the origin of the coffin. Is there a Vatican coffin shop? I know that there is a monastery or brotherhood here that makes and sells coffins — a good friend’s mortal remains were buried in one. (I will always remember our good and holy priest, as the coffin waited by the entrance whence he would be taken for burial, quietly and informally tracing with his index finger the cross carved into the top, saying a very quiet prayer, not thinking anyone was watching. Very, very moving. But I digress.)
I just wonder if there is some Italian master woodworker somewhere, feeling some pride over his work that has been seen all over the world this week.
“Pope Francis’s doctrinal magisterium was extremely rich…attentive to avoiding the pitfalls of self-referentiality and spiritual worldliness…”
I only read one of his encyclicals in depth because our diocese of Portland did a multi-week study on it. Of the 274 footnotes in Tutti Frutti, 183 (66%) are quoting himself. The author of this panegyric also seems to be implying that previous encyclical writers fell into such “pitfalls”.
So very rich.
Well, they said elsewhere that it was just zinc-lined. But honestly, I expect it’s pretty easy to stick lead sheets in there too.
It’s funny how much better everyone is, in the schola and in the procession, at singing Latin, than at Pope John-Paul II’s funeral. There are exceptions, but generally it’s smoother, and it’s not just the old guys who understand what to do.
And it’s strange how much more familiar I am with the Latin myself, with hearing and following it. All this time hasn’t gone for nothing.
I was watching a video on about the Pope’s coffin and how it differs from other popes’ coffins. He chose a different wood, which was actually heavier than the usual wood that is used. It was lined with zinc, which was soldered shut by the Vatican plumber. Zinc is lighter than lead. The reason it needs to be lined is because the wood rots away quickly and there would be bones all over the floor of the burial vaults and tombs. It also seals in the odours and liquids of putrefaction.
Where the big difference is, is that the coffin wasn’t sealed with a ribbon and wax seals and placed inside of another coffin.
For all the talk about how simpler and humbler his coffin is compared to other popes, I found a certain irony in its dovetail joints. Dovetail joints are traditionally considered a sign of luxury and high end carpentry found in expensive luxury furniture compared to other simpler joints.
You can watch the video on papal coffins here:
https://youtu.be/q3d-vBT5cVg?si=1pEnRvXuRT_-bU74
I’m sure I have lot’s of company in saying that the closing of Francis’ coffin makes me think of something that was left undone that was essential in this situation in a particular genre of scary stories.
I was going to write what Maelwys’ wrote. The self-referential line made me laugh out loud when I read it. I do hope that, should the coffin ever be reopened and the letter read someday in the future that it will also bring a chuckle to whomever reads it.
I am glad that the Pope wasn’t buried with a Pachamama, and I do pray that he doesn’t get to spend eternity with Pachamama, but as history chews away legacy as time turns bones to dust, that is what he will be remembered as: the Peronist Pachamama Pope that brought on the divine chastisment of COVID.
Truly, may Francis rest in peace.
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