In a solemn and sacred moment on Friday evening, the Vatican will officially close the coffin of Pope Francis, marking the end of the public’s final farewell to the late pontiff. The rite, deeply rooted in Catholic tradition, will be led by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church.

The coffin-closing ceremony, conducted privately, will take place in the presence of senior cardinals. As tradition dictates, a white cloth will be placed over the Pope’s face, symbolizing purity and peace in death.

Alongside the body, a bag of specially minted coins will be added; a gold coin for each year of Pope Francis’ papacy, silver for each additional month, and bronze for each day. This rare custom marks the exact duration of his service as the spiritual leader of over 4 billion Catholics worldwide.

The ” cogito“, a historical document summarizing Pope Francis’s life, work, and papal ministry, will also be placed inside the coffin. After being read aloud, it will be rolled, sealed in a scroll, and enclosed in a metal cylinder, where it will rest with the Pope for eternity.

This will be the final time the late pontiff is seen by the public.

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Honoring his wishes, Pope Francis will be buried in a simple wooden casket lined with zinc, forgoing the traditional trio of cypress, lead, and oak coffins used by his predecessors. He will also break a century-long tradition by being laid to rest at Rome’s Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore instead of beneath St. Peter’s Basilica.

The procession bearing his coffin departed on Wednesday from Casa Santa Marta, his Vatican residence where he passed away. His body has since lain in state in St. Peter’s Basilica, where thousands of faithful have gathered for three days to pay their respects.

A funeral Mass for Pope Francis will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, April 26, in St. Peter’s Square, presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals. While Pope Francis had made certain modifications to the funeral procession, the liturgy of the Mass will remain as observed by his predecessors.

The Vatican has confirmed the attendance of 130 official delegations, including 50 heads of state and 10 reigning monarchs. Among the world leaders attending are:

  • U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump
  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
  • French President Emmanuel Macron
  • Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni
  • U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer
  • Germany’s outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz
  • Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
  • Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader
  • Ecuador President Daniel Noboa
  • Argentine President Javier Milei from the Pope’s home country

Pope Francis passed away on Monday morning, April 21, at the age of 88, after suffering a stroke and heart failure. His death brings to a close a papacy defined by humility, reform, and unwavering commitment to the marginalized.

Following his burial, the Church will observe a nine-day mourning period known as Novemdiales ; a time of prayer, reflection, and thanksgiving for his life and service.

Sources: Vatican News, Catholic News Agency (CNA) and Rome Reports