Cardinals to seal Pope Francis’ coffin, formally ending his lying in state at the Vatican | CNN

CNN - Apr 25th, 2025

Pope Francis' wooden coffin was sealed in a private rite on Friday night, concluding three days of lying in state at the Vatican, where approximately 250,000 people paid their respects. Led by Cardinal Camerlengo Kevin Farrell, the ceremony involved several significant figures, including church officials from Venezuela and Brazil, and the controversial US Cardinal Roger Mahony. The rite included prayers and hymns, and the pope's possessions, such as his pallium, coins, and a tenure summary, were placed inside the coffin before it was sealed. This simplification of the papal funeral rites is part of Francis’ broader efforts at reform.

The event is deeply significant, marking the end of the first Latin American and Jesuit pope's tenure. The sealing of the coffin preludes the Novemdiales, a nine-day mourning period with daily funeral Masses. The streets outside the Vatican were filled with mourners, as Italy observed a national day of mourning on Liberation Day. Francis’ final resting place in Rome's Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore will reflect his preference for simplicity. This event highlights his impact on the Catholic Church and signifies a shift towards more modest papal traditions, emphasizing his legacy of humility and reform.

Pope Francis Vatican Catholic Church Kevin Farrell Roger Mahony Novemdiales Funeral Rites

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RATING

6.2

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article provides a detailed account of Pope Francis' funeral rites, focusing on the ceremonial aspects and the involvement of key church figures. It is timely and of high public interest, given the global significance of the pope's passing. The story is clearly written and accessible, but it lacks depth in terms of source quality and transparency, with limited attribution to authoritative voices. The focus on ceremonial details over broader implications or controversies results in a balanced but somewhat narrow perspective. While the article effectively informs readers about the event, it could benefit from a more nuanced exploration of the underlying issues and a wider range of viewpoints.

Accuracy

The story presents several factual claims that align with known information about papal funerals and Vatican traditions. For example, it accurately describes the sealing of Pope Francis' coffin and the involvement of Cardinal Kevin Farrell, which is consistent with Vatican protocols. However, there are areas needing verification, such as the exact number of people who paid their respects and the specific roles of other church officials. The claim regarding Cardinal Roger Mahony's role, given his controversial past, also requires careful verification to ensure accuracy. Overall, while the story provides a generally accurate account, some details lack precise source support.

Balance

The article primarily focuses on the ceremonial aspects of Pope Francis' funeral and the people involved in the rites, which presents a somewhat narrow perspective. It does not delve into broader implications or diverse viewpoints, such as the significance of Pope Francis' reforms or reactions from the global Catholic community. The mention of Cardinal Mahony hints at controversy but does not explore differing opinions on his participation. This limited scope results in a balanced but somewhat superficial presentation of the events.

Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, with a logical flow that guides the reader through the sequence of events. It uses straightforward language to describe the funeral rites and the participants involved, making it accessible to a broad audience. However, the inclusion of multiple details without clear attribution or context could potentially confuse readers unfamiliar with Vatican procedures or the significance of certain traditions. Despite this, the overall tone remains neutral and informative.

Source quality

The story lacks explicit attribution to primary sources or authoritative voices, such as Vatican press releases or statements from church officials. While it references the Vatican press office for some details, it does not provide direct quotes or clear citations, which diminishes the perceived reliability. The inclusion of a CNN contributor suggests some level of journalistic oversight, but the absence of diverse or independent sources weakens the overall source quality.

Transparency

The article provides limited transparency regarding the basis of its claims. It mentions a service order released by the Vatican press office but does not elaborate on how this information was obtained or verified. There is no discussion of potential biases or conflicts of interest, particularly concerning Cardinal Mahony's involvement. The lack of methodological explanation for the crowd estimate also reduces transparency, leaving readers without a clear understanding of how certain figures and claims were derived.