Before his passing, Pope Francis had clearly expressed his wish to be laid to rest in a simple wooden coffin—an act consistent with his lifelong embrace of humility and modesty. The late pontiff had once remarked that a wooden casket would be what “would surface after his death, and the time they were to bury him,” rejecting the elaborate burial traditions associated with past papal funerals.
In line with this preference, the Vatican announced on Wednesday, April 16, that Pope Francis will not be buried in the traditional three-layered caskets crafted from oak, cypress, and lead—a practice followed for centuries. Instead, the late pope will be interred in a single wooden coffin lined with zinc, further underscoring his rejection of excessive ceremony.
As reported by Reuters, Pope Francis’s remains will not be placed on a raised platform inside St. Peter’s Basilica for public viewing, as was done for previous popes. While the faithful will still have the opportunity to pay their respects, “the remains of Pope Francis will remain in the casket, and the lid will be off.”
Born on December 17, 1936, Pope Francis turned 88 in 2024. Though he had faced recurring health issues in recent years—relying on a wheelchair due to knee and back pain—he continued to serve with resilience. Notably, he completed two intensive overseas visits in September and led a major month-long Vatican summit in October.
In his final public message, delivered on Easter by a fellow clergy member, Pope Francis spoke on the essential role of religious liberty in fostering a peaceful world. He stated: “There can be no peace without freedom of religion, freedom of thought, freedom of expression, and respect for the views of others.”
