Pope Francis to break with tradition as details of late Pontiff's funeral are revealed
by Danielle de Wolfe · LBCBy Danielle de Wolfe
Pope Francis has chosen to break with tradition after it was revealed the late Pontiff selected plans for an alternative funeral.
Listen to this article
Loading audio...
Plans surrounding a pope's death are historically tightly choreographed, with procedural events steeped in tradition.
But Pope Francis has instead opted for an alternative series of events to commemorate his life - echoing his groundbreaking approach to the evolution of the Catholic Church.
Following his death, the Pope's body is traditionally blessed, before being dressed in papal vestments and laid out for public viewing in St Peter's Basilica.
Past popes have had their bodies displayed on a raised platform - with thousands filing past to pay their respects.
However, Pope Francis has opted for an altogether more simplified funeral, with the late Pontiff opting instead for an open coffin instead.
Read more: 'He served with such devotion': King Charles leads tributes as Pope Francis dies aged 88
According to the Vatican's master of liturgical ceremonies, Diego Ravelli, the late Pope's selection was chosen in a bid "to emphasise even more that the Roman pontiff's funeral is that of a shepherd and disciple of Christ and not of a powerful man of this world".
Opting for the tradition of St Peter's Square, the service will likely be led by the dean of the College of Cardinals, 91-year-old Italian Giovanni Battista Re.
Pontiffs are traditionally laid to rest in the crypts beneath St Peter's Basilica - a tally that has now reached almost 100 popes.
But Francis has shunned tradition, instead becoming the first pope in a century to be interred outside the Vatican.
Selecting Santa Maria Maggiore basilica in Rome as his final resting place, the iconic and architecturally stunning basilica became one of his most-frequented churches.
In a final shunning of tradition, the Pope will be buried in a single coffin made of wood and zinc.
It contrasts past popes who are traditionally entombed within three coffins of cypress, zinc and lastly elm, with one set inside the other in a similar vein to the construction of a Russian doll.
But with many details surrounding the Pope's funeral yet to be released, it's likely Pope Francis has further shunned tradition where ceremonial events are concerned.