Following the death of Pope Francis, which occurred on Monday, April 21, 2025 at the age of 88 at Casa Santa Marta, the Vatican has fulfilled one of the oldest and most symbolic rites activated after the death of a pontiff.
This is the sealing of the papal apartments, a measure that seeks to preserve the security, integrity and confidentiality of all documents and belongings of the leader of the Catholic Church. What do they consist of?
Sealed in two places: Casa Santa Marta and the Apostolic Palace.
Although since his election in March 2013 Francis decided not to occupy the Apostolic Palace, preferring to live in the simpler and more communal residence of Casa Santa Marta, tradition indicates that both spaces must be officially sealed.
This guarantees that no person may enter until authorized by the new pontiff or determined by the conclave.
The ceremony began on Monday afternoon, when the doors of the papal apartment in the Apostolic Palace were closed with a red ribbon and a sealing wax of the same color.
Shortly afterwards, the same procedure was carried out at Casa Santa Marta, where Francis lived during his 12 years of pontificate
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Who were present
The ceremony was overseen by U.S. Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, who serves as Vatican camarlengo.
In his role, Farrell is responsible for administering the temporal affairs of the Holy See during the period of “sede vacante,” the time between the death of a pope and the election of his successor.
Also present were the Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and Venezuelan Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, in charge of General Affairs of the Secretariat of State. Their presence guarantees the legality and validity of this canonical procedure.
A rite with historical roots
The sealing has a clear function: to protect all documents, personal letters, papal effects and liturgical objects that were under the responsibility of the deceased pontiff.
It also prevents any unauthorized access that could compromise the pope’s privacy or legacy.
As part of the protocol, the Fisherman’s Ring, the pope’s personal seal, will also be annulled, as well as the official papal seals, which can no longer be used to sign documents on his behalf.
This gesture symbolizes the definitive closure of his pontifical authority.
Official cause of death and final dispositions
Buzzy
The Vatican informed that the death of Pope Francis was due to a cerebral stroke, which led to a coma and later to irreversible cardiocirculatory failure, a diagnosis confirmed during the rite of medical verification at his residence.
The body of the Argentine pontiff was placed in a simple coffin and will be on public display in St. Peter’s Basilica from Wednesday, April 23, so that the faithful can say goodbye.
His funeral will be celebrated between Friday 25 and Sunday 27, following the norms of the Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis.
According to his will, Francis will be buried in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, in a simple tomb, located between the Pauline Chapel and the Sforza Chapel, without additional ornaments or symbols, in keeping with his humble and pastoral style.
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