Pope approves new papal funeral rites to simplify ritual

Pope Francis waves as he leaves after his weekly general audience in St Peter’s Square (AP)

Pope Francis has revised the funeral rites that will be used when he dies, simplifying the rituals to emphasise his role as a mere bishop and allowing for burial outside the Vatican, in keeping with his wishes.

The Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano published details of the updated liturgical book, which Francis approved April 29 and which replaces the previous edition that was last published in 2000.