A video circulating widely on X (formerly Twitter) claims to show the final burial rites of Pope Francis.
The video by user @Mautiin01, shows a solemn procession of people dressed in white robes and black pointed hats, each carrying torch-like staffs. Rhythmic drumming plays in the background, adding to the ceremonial tone of the scene.
The caption reads:
“The last burial rites for the late Pope. This one sef nah part of Christianity?? Nah kwesion i ask oo.”
Since it was posted on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, the video has amassed over 450,000 views, 1,600 likes, and 661 reposts. Another user, @_iolatunde, also shared the video before eventually deleting the post. That version had already drawn over 20,000 views before its removal.
CLAIM
The video shows the last burial rites of Pope Francis.
THE FINDINGS
Findings by The FactCheckHub shows that the claim is FALSE!
Pope Francis died on Monday, April 21, 2025. According to the Vatican, his funeral is scheduled for Saturday, April 26, 2025, and will be held in St. Peter’s Square, starting at 10:00 a.m. (0800 GMT).
As of April 23, Vatican officials, including red-robed cardinals and white-robed priests, escorted the Pope’s coffin in a solemn 40-minute procession from his residence to St. Peter’s Basilica. Members of the Swiss Guard accompanied the coffin. By April 24, thousands had lined up for a final public viewing of the Pope’s open casket inside the basilica. He will be laid to rest after the funeral mass on Saturday.
So, what does the video really show?
A Google Reverse Image Search traced the footage to Semana Santa or Holy Week celebrations in Spain. Semana Santa is an annual Catholic observance leading up to Easter, marked by grand religious processions, traditional music, and participants wearing robes and conical hats. These processions often feature ornate religious floats and are carried out by Catholic brotherhoods in Spain and parts of Latin America, especially Guatemala.
A central feature of Semana Santa is the procession of religious floats (andas) that carry statues of Christ and the Virgin Mary, accompanied by penitents and religious brotherhoods.
Guatemala’s version of Semana Santa, for example, blends Catholic and Indigenous Maya traditions and includes elaborate processions, sawdust carpets, and heavy incense. It has even been recognised by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The video in question aligns closely with documented footage from these events, including a recent video by WION News highlighting similar ceremonial elements.
THE VERDICT
FALSE – The video does not show the burial rites of Pope Francis. It shows a Holy Week procession from Spain’s Semana Santa celebrations.
This report is published from the Factcheckhub.
Fatimah Quadri is a Journalist and a Fact-checker at The ICIR. She has written news articles, fact-checks, explainers, and media literacy in an effort to combat information disorder.
She can be reached at sunmibola_q on X or fquadri@icirnigeria.org