Pope Francis, globally admired for his humility and dedication to a simple life, passed away on April 21 at the age of 88, triggering a wave of solemn Vatican rituals steeped in tradition and symbolism. Known for breaking convention — from his modest lodgings in Casa Santa Marta to his preference for plain meals — his passing nonetheless initiated the sacred rites followed after the death of a pontiff. Among the first of these was the sealing of his residence, a tradition that dates back centuries.
Though he lived simply, the ritual of tying a silk cord across his door and sealing it with wax was carried out with full reverence, led by Archbishop Ilson de Jesus Montanari, the Vice-Camerlengo. This act doesn’t just mark the end of his papacy — it also begins a deeply mystical transition of power, one that involves safeguarding his personal belongings and documents… yet this is only the beginning of what unfolds behind Vatican walls.