Following the death of Pope Francis, a question that many people have asked is why his face was covered with a veil in his coffin. A Catholic priest recently shed light on this tradition, providing an explanation that connects deeply with Scripture and the spiritual significance of the papacy.
In a post credited to Ask The Catholic Priest, it was explained that the covering of the Pope’s face with a veil has a rich spiritual meaning rooted in Biblical tradition. Specifically, it draws from 2 Corinthians 3:16–18, which says:
“But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
This passage highlights the idea that while on earth, we see only partially — like through a veil — but in the presence of God, that veil is removed, and we behold Him face to face in glory. The veil over the Pope’s face signifies the earthly pilgrimage and the transition into the full presence of God. It also symbolizes the humility of the Pope, who, even as the head of the Church on earth, remains a servant of Christ, awaiting the fullness of His glory.
Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday, 21st April 2025, at the age of 88. His death on Easter Monday — a day symbolizing resurrection and new life — carries profound significance for the Catholic faithful.
Pope Francis served as head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 13 March 2013 until his death in 2025. He was a historic figure: the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Americas and the Southern Hemisphere, and the first pope born or raised outside of Europe since the 8th-century Syrian pope, Gregory III.
His life and death remind the world of the enduring spiritual mysteries of faith — and the veil over his face in death serves as a powerful testament to his journey from earthly service to eternal glory.