Vatican City – As the world bids farewell to Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88, the Vatican has released details surrounding the sacred items that were placed inside his casket — a final reflection of his deeply personal faith and enduring humility.
The simple, handcrafted cypress coffin — in keeping with Francis’s request for modesty — holds more than the remains of a spiritual leader. It also carries symbols of his life’s mission and the values he championed.
A Life in Symbols: What Was Placed in the Casket
1. The Book of the Gospels
Atop his chest rests the Book of the Gospels, opened to the Beatitudes — a passage Pope Francis often cited in homilies as the blueprint for Christian compassion and mercy. The Pope had frequently urged the faithful to “live the Beatitudes” in everyday life, often saying, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”
2. Rosary Beads Worn Thin by Prayer
Woven into his fingers were his personal rosary beads, said to have accompanied him since his early days as a Jesuit priest. Papal aides say he used them daily, even during chemotherapy treatments and hospital stays in his later years.
3. A Wooden Cross Carved in Argentina
Close to his heart lay a wooden crucifix carved by an Argentine craftsman — a tribute to his roots in Buenos Aires and his lifelong commitment to the poor and marginalized. It was a gift he received shortly after becoming pope in 2013 and carried with him on many international journeys.
4. A Parchment of His Apostolic Constitution
In a sealed tube near his side was a parchment scroll listing key events from his papacy — from his election as the first Jesuit and Latin American pope, to his historic visits to Iraq, the Amazon, and war-torn refugee camps. This document is a long-standing Vatican tradition.
5. A White Scapular of the Virgin Mary
Honoring his deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin, Pope Francis also requested to be buried wearing a white scapular, a Carmelite symbol of protection and spiritual commitment.
A Modest Final Resting Place
Per his wishes, Pope Francis was not buried in an elaborate marble tomb but in a simple crypt beneath St. Peter’s Basilica, close to the resting places of his predecessors, including Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII.
His funeral was attended by millions across the world via live broadcast, and tens of thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square to pay their respects.
A Pope Remembered for Simplicity and Mercy
More than the symbols in his casket, it is the legacy Pope Francis leaves behind — of humility, compassion, and moral courage — that will live on in the hearts of the faithful.
As he once said:
“We are not made for comfort, we are made for greatness — the greatness of service.”
