Pope Francis Requested Simple Tomb with No Decorations and ‘Franciscus’ Inscription – Vatican
A Humble Farewell: Pope Francis’s Final Request for Simplicity and Modesty in Life and Death
- Pope Francis’s funeral will be held on Saturday, April 26, in St. Peter’s Square
- He requested a simple tomb with the inscription "Franciscus,"
- His body will lie in state at the Vatican Basilica starting Wednesday
Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday at the age of 88, made clear his wishes for a humble and modest farewell.
His funeral is set for Saturday, April 26, at 10:00 a.m. (8:00 GMT) in St. Peter’s Square, with world leaders and dignitaries expected to attend.
In accordance with his final instructions, Pope Francis requested a simple and unadorned tomb, with only the word “Franciscus” inscribed. He asked for his grave to be modest, free from any decorations, emphasizing simplicity in death, as he had in life. This request comes as a departure from the tradition of nested coffins and elaborate ceremonial practices typically used for papal funerals.
Ahead of the funeral, his body will be moved to the Vatican Basilica on Wednesday, where the faithful will be able to pay their respects. A public viewing will take place in the basilica, with Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, officiating the ceremony.
Following the funeral, Pope Francis’s body will be transported to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore for burial, per his wishes.
The procession will pass through Santa Marta Square and other significant locations within the Vatican before reaching the church. His coffin, lined with zinc, will not be placed on the traditional catafalque, nor will the papal staff accompany him during the public viewing—another indication of his desire for simplicity in his final moments.
As Pope Francis’s body rests in a plain wooden casket, the world will honor a pope who led with humility, who sought to make the Church more accessible to the faithful, and who chose simplicity even in death.
His lasting legacy will be one of compassion and simplicity, remembered not in grand monuments, but in the hearts of those who followed his example of service and faith.
