The method by which Pope Francis cadaver is being preserved for his final farewell at St. Peter’s Basilica

The pointiff’s body has been subjected to a meticulously controlled preservative process in order to facilitate its ultimate public exhibition.
Pope Francis’s body will be on display at St. Peter’s Basilica until Friday, and hundreds of thousands of faithful Catholics will have the opportunity to wish him farewell beginning at 11 a.m. on Wednesday.

Being able to see the pope after his demise is not merely a ritual for many devout Catholics; it is a gesture that is imbued with spirituality and gratitude.

Pope Francis has undergone the preservation technique of tanatopraxy to enable public veneration without the need for more invasive methods, thereby ensuring that they can see him in person.

His body is encased in a straightforward zinc casket that is nested within a wooden coffin that will remain open during the ostension.

Pope Francis was adamant that his body not be placed in the customary triple coffin of cypress, lead, and oak, nor be exhibited on a catafalque prior to his passing.

What is thanatopraxis?

Thanatopraxis is a body preservation technique that is primarily employed for the public exhibit of corpses, rather than mummification.

The practice, which is regulated in Italy under a law enacted in 2022, is regarded as a contemporary extension of embalming. It is distinguished by the use of less invasive substances that are more gentle on the human body.

It is composed of a hygienic preservation treatment that reduces the rate of decomposition, thereby preserving the deceased’s natural appearance for a period of several days.

The procedure entails the administration of preservative fluids into the arterial system, the thorough disinfection of the body, the application of corrective cosmetics, and the organisation of the hands and face to achieve a serene and composed appearance.

The Catholic Church has a lengthy history of employing thanatopraxis. For centuries, the bodies of popes have been preserved for the practical demands of public veneration, spiritual reasons, and the shear duration of funeral ceremonies.

In the past, popes were subjected to embalming, a more invasive procedure that involved the removal of internal organs and the infusion of substances such as formalin and alcohol.

However, the church gradually began to observe the dignity of the human body, which led to the adoption of more discreet and respectful practices.

Pope Francis’ cadaver will be accessible for several days, enabling a collective and solemn tribute until his funeral on Saturday, thanks to tanatopraxis.