Images disseminated by several media show that the late Pope Francis presents a bruise on the face, which has generated speculation.
Francisco was last seen last Sunday, during the traditional blessing Urbi et Orbi. Although he was visibly dismembered, no bruises were observed on his face.
However, after his body was exposed to the faithful Catholics, a purple tone was evidenced in a part of the face, something that has raised various questions.
In this regard, some international media explain that this coloration could be due to multiple factors, including Antemorem trauma, such as blows, falls or physical violence suffered before death.
It could also be a postmortem manipulation or postmortem ecchymosis, lesions that arise during body management – raised, necropsy or change of clothing – similar to bruises, but without active blood circulation.
Another possible cause is blood hypostasis or livideces, a phenomenon in which blood accumulates by gravity after death, which can lead to marks that are confused with bruises.
Some publications indicate that, if it is postmortem ecchymosis, brands lack vitality and are the product of passive vascular congestion.
In older people and with reduced mobility, capillaries are extremely fragile, so any rubbing, even mild, can cause visible marks.
Last goodbye
Thousands of people paraded this Thursday, April 24 before Pope Francis’s coffin to give him the last goodbye in the Basilica of San Pedro, before the funeral planned for Saturday with the presence of international dignitaries.
A human tide has flooded since Wednesday the smallest state in the world to present its respect to the first Latin American pontiff, whose death, Monday at age 88, shocked the Catholic Church and the world.
Among 11.00 (09.00 GMT) on Wednesday and 19.00 (17.00 GMT) on Thursday, at least 90,000 people toured the central nave of the basilica to say goodbye a few seconds from the Argentine Jesuit Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the Vatican press service reported.
The ranks to enter continue to attract thousands, although the wait can be extended for hours. “This Pope approached me to the Church. For me, it is the Pope of Hope, of the last, of the weakest,” Donatella Codino’s Italian told AFP.
Coffin closure
The burning chapel closed only for two hours in the early hours of Thursday, and the Vatican indicated that, according to the influx, it could extend its opening beyond midnight.
The players of the Roma and relatives of the deceased Francisco also collected this Thursday before his grave. Mauro Bergoglio, one of his nephews, managed to travel from Buenos Aires to Italy thanks to a private donation, he explained to Miter Radio.
The faithful will have until Friday night to say goodbye to Francisco. At 20.00 (18.00 GMT) of that day, its simple coffin will close to prepare for the state funeral that will be held on Saturday.
At least 130 delegations, including about 50 heads of state and 10 monarchs in exercise, will attend the funeral mass that will take place in the Plaza de San Pedro, according to the Holy See.
Presidents such as Donald Trump, Javier Milei and Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, as well as King Felipe VI of Spain and the UN Secretary General, António Guterres, confirmed their assistance.