Wood and Zinc: Why did Pope Francis choose these materials for his coffin?

Today there are a lot of talk about decisions Pope Francis To have a funeral and funeral is much more strict than that of their predecessors. He will not be buried in the same place or with the same pomp. In addition, contrary to what the tradition sends, he wrote that he does not want to relax in Three coffinsThe field of this was enough for one of the wood, with a zinc coating. Now, why did you choose these materials, not others?

To answer this question, you must first know the materials of the three coffins in which the potatoes are usually buried. The first is usually Cypress treeThe second of News And the third, the one that really looks like Oak tree.

Pope Francis wanted something more modest. Just Wood, he did not indicate which one, but with a special mention of zinc coating. This material is necessary in order to be able to carry out the entire protocol to which the body of the pontiff will be subjected to. He made it clear that he did not want the cardinals and the authorities to be limited, but someone could approach him to give him the last farewell. His will will be fulfilled, and the coffin can be visited in the Basilica San Pedro from today until Saturday, April 28. On the day when the funeral will finally pass, which will be extended between 4 and 6 days. Then the burial will arrive, and the conclave will begin. Thus, the body will take many days to be buried. Much more than usual in any. That is why zinc the coffin is so important.

Why were three coffins used?

The materials of the three coffins in which the potatoes are usually buried were not chosen randomly. Each of them has its own function.

For example, the body goes directly into the coffin of cypress, because it is a tree Symbol of deathThe field here, in Spain, very often see these trees in cemeteries for this reason.

Then lead is used because metals help Keep the body and decomposition of the delayThe field is very important at the funeral, which will be very long, for example, with potatoes.

Finally, everyone can see an oak coffin, as this tree, which brings an aspect of solemnity. This is not one of the most expensive, but it is not so cheap, and it gives a good image. Everything is luxury and symbolism, unlike the desires that Pope Francis left in writing.

Why are the materials chosen by Pope Francis

The entire mandate of Pope Francis was marked strictnessTherefore, he also wanted this to be the signal of the identity of his funeral. He said that he wants it to be Farewell to the pastor, not a powerful personThis is why he only wanted a wooden coffin with a zinc coating.

Wood is a rather cheap material. Some of them, of course, are more expensive than others, but in general you can choose the one that does not show. This could be enough with this, but zinc was necessary. And this metal helps Keep your bodies for decades.

This has been noticed many times, but a good example of this is a study published in 2019 Scientists from the University of MurdokIn Australia. These researchers analyzed 408 tel He was buried in two parm cemeteries, in Italy. In this country, burning is very unusual. The funeral is replete much more; But, precisely because of this, there is not enough space. In some cases, you can take the remains in Ossaguary, leaving a place for new buried ones. However, for this, the body must completely decompose and be a skeleton.

The 2019 study is intended to search for optimal conditions for Quick decompositionFor example, they saw that skeletonization is much faster when the burial is done in Sand or gravel Compared to graves covered with stones. But the material of the coffin also matters.

In this study it was noted that the coffins are covered with zinc. They support the microbiological and chemical environment of the body He hesitated for decades. This does at that time the decomposition of the body is much slower. This is useless if you strive to have a quick skeleton, but in such cases as that of Pope Francis, in which the body will be without burial.

But why doesn’t leadership serve?

It is already clear that the function of the second lead coffin is exactly the same as that of zinc. Why did Pope Francis Zink asked and did not bring?

Although we cannot speak for him, he may have done this in search of this economy and approach to people in which he insisted so much. Zinc is usually a little more expensive than lead; But even in this case, lead is usually much more connected with the burials of powerful people. Own Isabelle II, The Queen of England was buried in a coffin associated with lead in 2022.

In addition, zinc is a material that is usually used in Dead soldiersFor example. In repatriated bodies in general. Since they are long trips, the body will not be able to break the journey. For Pope Francis, this would be a way to be much closer to this figure of the pastor, and not to a powerful person. Consistent to the end.