ROME (AP) — Pope Francis has revised the funeral rites that will be used when he dies, simplifying the rituals to emphasize his role as a mere bishop and allowing for burial outside the Vatican in keeping with his wishes.
The Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano on Wednesday published details of the updated liturgical book, which Francis approved April 29 and which replaces the previous edition that was last published in 2000.
Francis turns 88 in December and, despite some health and mobility problems, appears in fine form. On Wednesday, he presided over a spirited general audience that featured children who spontaneously rushed the stage.
While popes often tinker with the rules regulating the conclave that will elect their successor, a revision of the papal funeral rites became necessary after Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI died on Dec. 31, 2022.
The Vatican had to work out a funeral for the first retired pope in 600 years, and a few months later Francis revealed he was working with the Vatican’s master of liturgical ceremonies, Monsignor Diego Ravelli, to overhaul the papal funeral rites to simplify them.
In that 2023 interview with Mexican Televisa broadcaster N+, Francis also revealed that he had decided he would be buried in Santa Maria Maggiore basilica in Rome, not in the grottoes underneath St. Peter’s Basilica where most popes are buried.
Ravelli told L’Osservatore Romano that the new reform simplifies the funeral rites, including eliminating the requirement that the pope be placed on an elevated bier in St. Peter’s Basilica for public viewing. Rather, he will be on view in a simple coffin, and the burial no longer requires the traditional three coffins of cyprus, lead and oak.
The simplification, Ravelli told the newspaper, is meant “to emphasize 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.”
Since his 2013 election, Francis has eschewed the pomp often associated with the papacy to emphasize his role as the bishop of Rome and a servant of the “church of the poor.” The Argentine Jesuit lives in the Vatican hotel, not the Apostolic Palace, and travels in small Fords or Fiats, not fancy SUVs.
His desire to be buried at Santa Maria Maggiore reflects his veneration of an icon of the Virgin Mary that is located there, the Salus populi Romani (Salvation of the people of Rome).
After every trip, Francis goes to the basilica to pray before the Byzantine-style painting that features an image of Mary, draped in a blue robe, holding the infant Jesus who in turn holds a jeweled golden book.
“It’s my great devotion,” Francis told N+ in revealing his future burial plans. “The place is already prepared.”
Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
Pope Francis waves as he leaves after his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Wednesday, Nov.20, 2024. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Pope Francis waves as he leaves after his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Wednesday, Nov.20, 2024. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Pope Francis waves as he leaves after his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Wednesday, Nov.20, 2024. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Scuffles erupted for a second day Wednesday in a northern Serbian city between police and opposition protesters demanding arrests over a deadly roof collapse at the city's railway station earlier this month.
Anti-government protesters sought to block a courthouse in Novi Sad, where the roof collapse at the station on Nov. 1 killed 15 people and injured two others. Riot police pushed the protesters away from the building.
A similar opposition action on Tuesday resulted in an hourslong standoff.
The collapse in Novi Sad has triggered a wave of protests against the populist authorities and arrests of several activists who have taken part. Many in Serbia believe rampant corruption led to sloppy renovation work at the station and consequently to the roof collapse.
Serbia's Interior Minister Ivica Dacic on Wednesday warned protesters in a statement that police “won't tolerate disruption of public law and order, threats to the security of the country and state institutions, as well as attacks on police.”
Separately, police detained two activists in Belgrade who were protesting against plans to demolish a World War II-era bridge that carries trams as well as vehicle traffic over the Sava river between the new and old parts of the city.
Authorities plan to build a new bridge in its place, a process that will take at least three years. Opposition activists say the existing bridge should be preserved and that the process of awarding contracts for the building work lacks transparency.
In Novi Sad, a group of opposition lawmakers managed to enter the court building on Wednesday while police pushed away others who were standing outside. Protesters are also demanding the release from detention of activists jailed during the recent protests over the collapse.
The huge concrete outer roof of the railway station building suddenly crashed on Nov. 1, falling on people sitting on benches or standing below. Initially 14 people died and three were severely injured but one of the injured people died on Sunday.
The authorities have promised a thorough investigation and Serbia’s construction minister, Goran Vesic, resigned shortly after the tragedy. Populist President Aleksandar Vucic has said more resignations will follow, and on Wednesday a former construction minister now in charge of trade, Tomislav Momirovic, also said he was stepping down.
No one has been arrested, however, and no charges have been brought, though prosecutors said dozens of people have been questioned as part of the probe.
The station was originally built in 1964 and was renovated twice in recent years as part of a wider agreement with Chinese state construction companies.
Serbian police officers guard Old Sava Bridge, which is closed for removal, in Belgrade, Serbia, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
Serbian police officers guard Old Sava Bridge, which is closed for removal, in Belgrade, Serbia, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
Skirmishes between Serbian police and opposition protesters demanding arrests over a deadly roof collapse at a railway station in Novi Sad, Serbia, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo)
Serbian police stand guard as opposition protesters demand arrests over a deadly roof collapse at a railway station in Novi Sad, Serbia, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo)
Skirmishes between Serbian police and opposition protesters demanding arrests over a deadly roof collapse at a railway station in Novi Sad, Serbia, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo)
Skirmishes between Serbian police and opposition protesters demanding arrests over a deadly roof collapse at a railway station in Novi Sad, Serbia, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo)
Skirmishes between Serbian police and opposition protesters demanding arrests over a deadly roof collapse at a railway station in Novi Sad, Serbia, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo)
Skirmishes between Serbian police and opposition protesters demanding arrests over a deadly roof collapse at a railway station in Novi Sad, Serbia, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo)
Serbian police officers guard a courthouse during an anti-government protest demanding arrests over a deadly roof collapse at a railway station in Novi Sad, Serbia, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo)
