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The Final Honors for Pope Francis: A Simple Coffin to Remember
The late Pope Francis will be sealed away in a simple coffin, marked with his pontifical shield, as he embarks on this final journey this Friday in the Basilica of San Pedro. This ancient ceremony stands as a striking testament to his life—one undeniably marked by political correctness and controversial choices.
A private ceremony presided over by Cardinal Camarlengo, Kevin Joseph Farrell, follows the burning chapel where an astonishing 250,000 faithful gathered over three days to bid their last farewell to the pontiff. But was it a farewell or a masked exhibition of a vulnerable legacy?
“This coffin reflects a pope’s departure, but also, perhaps, a refusal to embrace tradition,”
Notably, unlike his predecessor, Benedict XVI, who was displayed on a catafalque, Bergoglio opted for a more humble presentation, breaking from centuries of established protocol. On the brink of sealing this simple wooden box, the scene unfolded with profound symbolism and prayer.
The Moment of Sealing: What Lies Within?
As the white silk veil adorned his face, prayer echoed through the sanctum, contrasted sharply with the secretive nature of the proceedings. Inside the coffin, relics included a bag of coins from his papacy and a sealed metal tube—his legacy stored away for posterity. But should we be fine with a legacy clouded by allegations and a trajectory that blurred faith with secularism?
“Francisco will be remembered in whispers, not shouts. His legacy is not as clear as his ritual might suggest,”
The metal tube contained a document in Latin—a synthesis of his reign that speaks to his simplicity. The document recalls his engagement with the “discarded” of society and its overt concern for environmental issues. But where does the true strength of his legacy lie??
The State Seals and the Ritual: More Than Just Formalities
As the zinc lid was fastened, the solemnity of the moment was underscored by the stamps of Cardinal Camarlengo and various Vatican authorities. The coffin’s lid bears the cross and his papal shield, imbuing the obsequy with a sense of importance. Yet, could this all be mere showmanship?
The ceremony stretched for an hour, attended by members of the deceased pontiff’s family, along with high-ranking Vatican officials. This much-lauded event is set to precede a funeral attended by representatives from 130 nations, turning a seemingly somber affair into a dazzling affair of global proportions.
A Legacy Under Fire: The Fight Against Abuse
In moments of reflection, Pope Francis was acknowledged for confronting crimes against minors committed by members of the clergy. His inscribed ‘Rogito’ put forth an urgent call: “Make the legislation on crimes committed by the representatives of the clergy against minors and vulnerable persons more severe.” The question remains—did he do enough?
Born in 1936 to Italian emigrants—Jorge Bergoglio’s journey to greatness was as steep as it was controversial. The very document that charts his life also reveals the dark shadows lurking behind a façade of simplicity and love for the underprivileged.
As discussions swirl around his papacy, we are led to ponder: Will this complicated legacy endure as a beacon of hope, or be washed away in the tides of time?
Tomorrow, this simple coffin will traverse Rome in a grand parade, before reaching the Basilica of Santa María la Mayor—the chosen burial place recognized for its significance to the Argentine Pope. Do we uphold tradition, or do we embolden change with every passing papacy?
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