Pope Francis’ funeral format is unheard of in the church; Know how it will be

The world will watch Pope Francis’ funeral in the coming days, who died this week at age 88 after pneumonia. The ceremony will be the first to occur in a new, simpler format, as determined by the pontiff itself.

Last year he approved the liturgical book called Ordo Exequerum Romani Pontificis, a deep review of the funeral protocols of a Catholic Church leader.

The main idea is that the funeral needs to show that the Pope is a “pastor and disciple of Christ” and not a powerful person. Therefore, many of the processes were simplified to reflect this new format.

It is common for pontiffs to make it clear which plan he wants for the funeral process.

In most cases, these requests are expressed by the Pope to the cardinal known as Camerlengo, a cleric responsible for managing the church, planning the funeral and conclave during the period known as vagar headquarters or a vagar See.

FAILURE PHASES

The funeral liturgical book speaks of three “stations” that form the entire papal funeral process.

First season: wooden coffin

The first station takes place at the Pope who died. In the old format, this stage would happen in his room, but, in the reconfiguration promoted by Francisco, the designated place is the private chapel of the Pontiff. There, the death confirmation occurs, which is made by Camerlengo.

Then the body is placed in a wooden coffin and, inside it, a zinc. Before, three coffins were used: one of cypress (a noble wood), one of lead and another of oak. The technique slows the decomposition of the body.

The reduction from three to two coffins was another form defended by Francisco to simplify the process. From the private chapel, the coffin is taken to St. Peter’s Basilica.

Second Station: Farewell of the faithful

The second station takes place in São Pedro Basilica in the Vatican. There, the coffin is exposed to the public and the so -called exequial mass occurs, in honor of the Pope.

In the old model, the funeral urn was placed in a catafalk, a high structure normally used on large state funerals. But the review of the process changed this to move away from the idea that the farewell would need to be similar to that of a ruler or political leader.

Now, by the new plan, the coffin will not be placed on the platform. After the celebration of the Mass, the coffin will be closed and the third funeral station begins.

Third Station: Burial

The final part of the funeral is the burial itself. In the traditional rite of the Church, Pontiffs are buried in the Vatican Crypt, which is just below the main altar of St. Peter’s Basilica. The site houses the remains of 91 popes.

However, the Pope said he does not want to be buried in the so -called Vatican Necropolis, breaking a secular tradition. He said he preferred that the burial was in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome.

The Church has parts dating from the year 432 after Christ and is considered the largest sanctuary to the Virgin Mary of the Western Christian world.
Francisco used to pray at the scene frequently, especially before and after international trips. The new protocols approved in life by Francis allow a burial outside Rome.

Nine Days of Mass

The Pope’s funeral will also include the so -called “novels”, Mass celebrations for nine days after the mass in which it is held when the body reaches the Basilica of St. Peter.

The church stipulates an official period of mourning for nine days.

At the same time, according to the Vatican rules, the pontiff’s funeral must start four to six days after death. But this period is stipulated in an older Vatican document.

There is no information on changes in this period. Usually, to resist the whole process and delay decomposition, the body is embalmed.

Simpler terms

The review of the Pope’s funeral shape also simplifies the terms to refer to the pontiff. The idea is that the leader of the Catholic Church is simply called Pope or Bishop of Rome.

Rather, other longer or more complex names could be used as Vicar of Jesus Christ, successor to the Prince of the Apostles, Primate of Italy, Metropolitan Archbishop of the Roman Province and servant of the servants of God.

Even so, at times, it can be called Romanus Pontifex, Roman Pontiff in Latin.

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This content was originally published in the format of Pope Francis’ funeral is unheard of in the church; Learn how it will be on the CNN Brazil website.

Source: CNN Brasil