The photos of Pope Francis lying lifeless in his coffin reveal far more than meets the eye — and every detail tells a story.
From the untraditional casket to the personal items placed alongside his body, the late pontiff’s final resting display breaks centuries of Vatican tradition — by his own request.
As the world bids farewell to Pope Francis, his coming burial will reflect the very values he championed throughout his life. Known for his simplicity, humility, and unwavering care for the marginalized, Pope Francis’s final resting place is a powerful testament to the legacy he leaves behind.
And the personal items he chose to accompany him will serve as a final reminder of a life dedicated to service, love, and change.
The beloved 88-year-old pontiff passed away Monday following a devastating stroke that caused irreversible heart failure. After weeks of battling pneumonia, the Argentine-born spiritual leader died peacefully at the Vatican.
What’s inside the Pope’s casket?
On Tuesday, the Vatican shared the first powerful images of Pope Francis lying in repose. The photos revealed the meaningful items placed with him for his final journey.
His coffin, watched over by ceremonial guards, stood quietly as Vatican officials and members of his household gathered for a private and respectful goodbye.
In the photos released, Francis lies in an open casket dressed in red vestments — a color symbolizing martyrdom and the blood of Christ. A rosary is gently folded into his hands.
Also placed inside the coffin are his mitre (traditional papal hat), his crozier (the pastoral staff) and a collection of coins minted during his papacy — a centuries-old tradition symbolizing his time as the Vicar of Christ.
In the coffin there is also a rogito, a sealed legal document summarizing his life and pontificate. On his right hand, the Pope is wearing the broken Fisherman’s Ring, which is ceremonially destroyed before burial to signify the end of a pope’s reign.
The destruction also serves to ensure that the ring cannot be misused after the pope’s death, as it was originally designed as a seal for the pope’s personal letters.
A look at the coffin
Pope Francis’s death marks a sharp departure from the long-standing traditions of papal funerals, and a glance at his coffin is all it takes to see how.
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