[ZTABullwinkle]

Originally posted by MysticCat81
By tradition, it is a cypress coffin inside a lead coffin, inside an elm coffin. The purpose is to preserve and protect the coffin's contents, which includes not only the pope himself, but documents and other important items.

By tradition, the cypress coffin signifies that the popes are human and are buried like common people. The lead coffin bears the name and coat-of-arms of the pope, and the dates of his pontificate. In it are placed not only the cypress coffin, but also copies of the documents of profound importance issued under the pope's seal. The broken seal of office is placed within the lead coffin by the Camerlengo prior to final closure. The last coffin is made of elm, the most precious of local woods available in Rome, which is used to signify the great dignity of the man being laid to his rest.

While it may sound a little odd, is it that different from the American practice of placing water-proof coffins in lead, water-proof vaults?

Thanks for explaining this. I had no idea.

My mom and I were talking about when she and my father went to the Basilica...apparently you can actually "SEE" the dead Popes. The only reason the subject came up was I told her about the announcement that he was not going to be embalmed. I can see where the triple coffin idea will keep him preserved, but how can you "SEE" the Pope. I will have to ask her more on that.