Touching reason why Pope Francis' body will be buried in 'simple' wooden coffin without his name on
Earlier today, it was announced that the late Pope Francis' funeral will be taking place at the weekend on Saturday, 26 April.
The head of the Catholic Church passed away on Easter Monday (21 April) at the age of 88.
The Pope's death was announced by the Vatican on Monday morning (21 April), and his cause of death has since been revealed as a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure.
The nine days of mourning are now set to commence, and on Saturday, Pope Francis will be laid to rest, with world leaders all over the globe travelling to Rome to celebrate the pontiff's life.
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Since Pope Francis' death, details have been emerging about the funeral, including his burial.
While previous pontiffs have been buried in coffins made of cypress, lead and oak, it's reported that Pope Francis' coffin will simply be made from wood and lined with zinc, as per his request.
Before he died, Pope Francis mapped out his wishes for a 'simple' tomb 'in the ground' - but instead of his name 'Francis', he wanted it to bear only the inscription 'Franciscus' - an ode to his papal name which is in honour of St Francis of Assisi.
In the testament, he wrote: "As I sense the approaching twilight of my earthly life, and with firm hope in eternal life, I wish to set out my final wishes solely regarding the place of my burial.
"... I ask that my tomb be prepared in the burial niche in the side aisle between the Pauline Chapel (Chapel of the Salus Populi Romani) and the Sforza Chapel of the Basilica, as shown in the attached plan.
"The tomb should be in the ground; simple, without particular ornamentation, bearing only the inscription: Franciscus.
"The cost of preparing the burial will be covered by a sum provided by a benefactor, which I have arranged to be transferred to the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major."
It's also reported that Pope Francis' coffin will be lined with zinc.
According to Crisis magazine, zinc is used in coffins as a cost-effective way to aid the longevity of a body.
Meanwhile, according to Steve Soult Limited coffin manufacturers - who shared a video on the topic on TikTok - there's a very touching reason why zinc is used to line caskets.
Alongside a clip explaining why zinc is added to the interiors of coffins, they wrote: "Zinc liners provide an added layer of protection against external factors such as water, insects, and other natural elements.
"By safeguarding the coffin, these liners ensure that the memory of our loved ones remains undisturbed, allowing us to find solace in knowing that their resting place will endure the test of time."
They also added: "The zinc liner slows the process and aids the body to deteriorate in a more natural way from the exterior elements of the coffin in the ground."
Topics: Pope Francis, News, World News
Lucy Devine