(NewsNation) — Pope Francis’ funeral proceedings were reflective of his preferences in life: Simple, without the pomp and circumstance typically associated with papal ceremonies.
The funeral service was held at 4 a.m. EDT in St. Peter’s Square on April 26.
In April 2024, Francis adjusted some of the church’s customs regarding papal funerals and posthumous proceedings.
The changes to the Rite of Burial for Roman Pontiffs paved the way for his own simplified funeral and burial site, as detailed in his final will.
Pope Francis to have one coffin, not three
Typically, popes have three coffins — made of cypress wood, lead and elm — that are stacked together and buried in the Vatican grottoes beneath St. Peter’s Basilica.
Francis, under the renewed rite, opted to be buried in just one coffin: A wooden casket lined with zinc.
At the time of the changes, Archbishop Diego Ravelli said the decision to update proceedings aimed to “emphasize even more that the funeral of the Roman Pontiff is that of a pastor and disciple of Christ and not of a powerful person of this world.”
Dean of the College of Cardinals Giovanni Battista Re prays in front of the coffin during the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) 
Clergy arrive for the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber) 
Clergy attend the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber) 
Nuns attend the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru) 
Pallbearers carry the coffin of Pope Francis during his funeral in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) 
The coffin of Pope Francis is placed on the ground in St Peter’s Square for his funeral, at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) 
A view of the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Pope Francis coffin not elevated
On Tuesday, the Vatican released the first photos of Francis’ body in an open casket at the Domus Santa Marta hotel, where he lived and died.
Francis’ singular coffin was not placed on an elevated bier, as is custom, once he arrives at St. Peter’s.
His coffin, instead, simply faced basilica’s pews.
Pope Francis buried outside Vatican
In another break from recent tradition, the pontiff’s final resting place wasn’t on the grounds of St. Peter’s.
Instead, Francis will be buried in a simple tomb at the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major. Located outside the Vatican, the basilica is home to Francis’ favorite icon of the Virgin Mary, the Salus Populi Romani.
Italian Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi told the Associated Press that Francis “wanted to be buried under the shadow of a woman, in this case Maria.”
It’s estimated that 90 prior popes — including John Paul I, John Paul II and Benedict XVI — have been buried at the Vatican Grottoes, according to its official website.
Since the current sanctuary was finished in 1626, more than 75% of deceased popes have been laid to rest at St. Peter’s, the National Catholic Register reports.