The late Pope Francis didn't play by the Vatican rules at his own funeral on Saturday (April 26).
After passing away from a stroke that led to heart failure on Easter Monday, the 88-year-old was laid to rest in front of various royal and political dignitaries, including Prince William of Britain, US president Donald Trump, and Ukrainan president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, while millions of Catholic Church followers around the world also mourned the loss of their leader who'd reigned since 2013.
Prior to his death, though, Pope Francis himself requested to skip tradition with his burial by being placed inside just one plain wooden coffin lined with zinc, as opposed to three separate tapered hexagonal boxes made from cypress, lead and elm.
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Moreover, in accordance with Francis' unconventional wishes, he was also the first Pope to be buried outside the Vatican in more than 100 years.
Traditionally, these holy leaders are interred at St. Peter's Basilica, but Francis was buried in Rome's Basilica of St. Mary Major for personal reasons.
He shared in his final testament: "I wish my final earthly journey to end precisely in this ancient Marian sanctuary, where I would always stop to pray at the beginning and end of every Apostolic Journey, confidently entrusting my intentions to the Immaculate Mother, and giving thanks for her gentle and maternal care."
As for his additional burial instructions, Francis also requested: "The tomb should be in the ground; simple, without particular ornamentation, bearing only the inscription: Franciscus.
"May the Lord grant a fitting reward to all those who have loved me and who continue to pray for me. The suffering that has marked the final part of my life, I offer to the Lord, for peace in the world and for fraternity among peoples."
One political figure who didn't turn up to the ceremony, however, was Russian president Vladimir Putin, with the Kremlin issuing a statement revealing as much a number days prior to the funeral.
Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters when asked if he'd be attending: "No. The president has no such plans."
In a statement addressing the Pope's passing, though, Putin did comment: "Throughout the years of his pontificate, he actively promoted the development of dialogue between the Russian Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches, as well as constructive cooperation between Russia and the Holy See.
"In this sad hour, I would like to convey to you and the entire Catholic clergy my words of sympathy and support."
Russia sent its culture minister Olga Lyubimova to the funeral instead.
Topics: Pope Francis, Religion
Dan Seddon