Topics: Pope Francis, Catholic Church, Religion, World News
Pope Francis will be buried with a heartwarming document, along with several other items traditional for popes to have in their coffins.
As it's been customary for the Roman Church, the first Latin American pontiff will be buried alongside an account of his life known as a 'Rogito'.
Written in Ecclesiastical Latin aka the official language of the Catholic Church, the document is known as 'Deed' in English and is sealed inside a metal cylinder which is then placed in the coffin.
According to Vatican News, the Rogito isn't the only item traditionally buried in the Pope's coffin. Like his predecessors, Pope Francis was laid to rest alongside his pallium - a white, wool vestment worn over the shoulders during ecclesiastical events - as well as coins and medals minted during his pontificate.
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The Holy See Press Office released the entire text of the Rogito in Latin ahead of Francis' Requiem Mass celebrated today (April 26).
In the note, whose English translation was shared by Vatican News, the 266th pontiff was described as a 'simple and much-loved shepherd'.
The Rogito looks back on the life of Francis, whose real name was Jorge Mario Bergoglio, describing his childhood in Buenos Aires in a family of Italian descent.
A Jesuit, Francis studied in Chile and graduated in Philosophy.
As Archbishop of Buenos Ares, Francis is said to have travelled 'by subway and bus' and 'lived in an apartment and prepared his own dinner, because he felt himself one of the people'.
He was ordained Pope in 2013 after Benedict XVI's resignation and took the name of Francis, 'following the example of Saint Francis of Assisi' as 'he wished above all to care for the poorest in the world'.
"He exercised the Petrine ministry with untiring dedication in favor of dialogue with Muslims and representatives of other religions, sometimes inviting them to prayer meetings and signing joint declarations for concord among the faithful of different creeds," the Rogito also stated.
It also sates how he chose more humble lodgings as pope at the Domus Sanctae Marthae 'because he could not do without contact with people'.
After listing Francis' commitment to help 'the innocent', to guide the Catholic world through the Covid-19 pandemic, and his numerous appeals for peace, the Rogito included details of his hospitalisation for bilateral pneumonia and his final public appearance on Easter Sunday this year, celebrated on April 20. He died the following day.
"Francis left to all a marvellous witness of humanity, of holy living, and of universal fatherhood," the Rogito concluded.
After the funerals, attended by world leaders and people flocked to St Peter's Square to pay their respects, the Argentine-born Pope will be laid to rest in Rome's St. Mary Major Basilica - one of the four major papal basilicas in the Italian capital.
Francis himself requested he be buried in a simple underground tomb in the basilica rather than in the grotto of St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.
