Pope Francis, who passed away at 88 on April 21, 2025, was honored with a sealed coffin that contained an obituary highlighting his legacy as a “simple and much-loved shepherd.” His final wishes were to be buried in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major, where he often prayed. Following his funeral, the Catholic Church enters a period of mourning and prepares for a conclave to elect a new pope, as the camerlengo has destroyed the late Pope’s unique Fisherman’s Ring.
