Before a pope is buried, the Church carries out a series of traditional rites that mark the end of his papacy. Among them is the defacing of his ring — a symbolic gesture that signals his authority has formally ended.
In the heart of Vatican City, beneath the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis was laid to rest with ceremonies that blended centuries-old tradition and his trademark humility. He died at age 88, remembered not only for his calls to reform the Church, but also for his quiet devotion to the poor and the marginalized.
Pope Francis leads the First Vespers of the Solemnity of Mary and the traditional Te Deum of thanksgiving on December 31, 2023, in Vatican City. | Source: Getty Images