The Popes casket.

It was not pine, but cypress.

Actually he was put in a Cypress casket, that was put in a Lead casket and finally those were put in an Elm casket. The Elm being the outer of the 3.

I guess the material depends on the news network.

cypress is a constant

Second layer is either lead or zinc, or just a lining of the outer casket.

Outer casket is either Walnut, Oak, or Elm. It may or may not be lined with the above metal.

I guess they really want to make sure he doesn't get out of that sucker.:)

I noticed the same thing... Very nice dovetail joints, and the cypress will last for a very long time. I didn't know about the outer shells in lead/zinc and Elm. I would have expected it to be more ornate, but perhaps the outer shells are -- still haven't seen them.

X_HOBBES

Local artisans, I guess. I'll bet the Vatican is a big enough organisation to have a few on the staff.

According to the TV I watched, it was Cypress. Doesn't matter, it won't be burnt!

Barry Lennox

Was I the only one who noticed that the Popes casket was made of Pine and had Dovetailed corners?

I wonder who made it?

I thought the same thing. Must have been an awesome feeling to be making that particular box. Would love to find out more.

Hopefully zinc... lead wouldn't be too healthy.

According to the Ass Press. The inner is Cypress, second is zinc and the outer Walnut. These are supposed to slow down the decomp process.

Searcher1

I don't think the Pope has to worry about his health much anymore.

Trying to put off the inevitable, even in death.

Not sure about anything more ornate since the actual spaces for burial are very limited. Maybe this is a case when bigger is not better.

Josie

I just don't understand why they didn't hook his meat up to life support and keep him from rotting for twelve years or so, like he insisted happen to Schiavo. Doesn't matter if you're braindead, gotta preserve the meat.

The Pope requested to be buried in the earth. An unusual request. Earth is in very short supply at the Vatican.

grumble

She wasn't brain-dead.

-- Regards, Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)

Nobody ever left footprints in the sands of time by sitting on his butt. And who wants to leave buttprints in the sands of time?

According to many news reports:

Cypress --> Zinc --> Walnut.

All the best,

As well, the pope's body was failing in a number of ways. Total life support would not have been possible either.