The recent death of Pope Francis has shone a spotlight upon the Roman Catholic Church, including the rituals surrounding the death, mourning and burial of its leader.
Some of these traditions are unique to the Pope’s office: the sealing of the papal quarters; the destruction of the papal ring; the lying in state; the attendance of worldwide leaders at the funeral; and so on.
However, there were other traditions on show in Rome which the Pope shares with ordinary members of the Roman church. The rosary beads included with the body in the coffin, for example; the requiem mass said at the funeral; the prayers for the dead on the lips of the mourners; and, everywhere you turn, three letters: RIP – may he Rest In Peace.[1]
Pope Francis: exasperation - and admiration?
With the death of Pope Francis, my thoughts went in many different directions, but one of them was the memory …