Although Pope Francis was a strong advocate for organ donation, an ancient Catholic Church rule prevented him from donating his own organs after his death. Despite his firm support for the cause, the Vatican did not authorize the removal of his organs, citing that—according to ecclesiastical tradition—the body of a deceased pope belongs to the Church and must remain intact.
The Preservation Process of the Papal Body
As reported by Euronews, the Pope’s body underwent preservation treatment to be displayed before thousands of faithful in St. Peter’s Basilica. This procedure, known as thanatopraxy, involves injecting chemicals to slow decomposition, allowing the body to maintain a serene appearance, as if asleep.
This ritual is part of papal funeral rites, which do not include the possibility of organ donation. Though Francis consistently emphasized the value of this selfless act, a century-old rule made it impossible in his case.
The Rule Preventing a Pope from Donating Organs
The prohibition dates back to Pope Pius X, who in 1914 ordered that his organs not be removed for embalming after his death. It remains unclear whether this is a formal law or a tradition, but the Holy See has upheld it without exception ever since.
The Case of Benedict XVI and the Failed Attempt
Before becoming pope, Benedict XVI (then Joseph Ratzinger) had registered as an organ donor in Germany. However, the Vatican clarified that upon his election as Pope, his donor card became invalid. His secretary, Georg Gänswein, explained: “It is true that the Pope had a donor card, but it was de facto voided when Cardinal Ratzinger was elected pontiff.” Even though Benedict resigned in 2013, organ donation remained impossible.
Pope Francis’ Legacy in Promoting Organ Donation
In April 2019, during a meeting with the Italian Association of Organ Donors, Francis reiterated the importance of this act of generosity. He emphasized that, beyond religious beliefs, donation is a gesture of human solidarity: “For those who do not profess a faith, this act stems from a selfless ideal of helping others.”
Though unable to donate his own organs, his message continues to inspire millions to consider this noble cause.
By: Nestor Castillo, ForAllTechNews Director
Image credit: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International