Ahead of lying in state, the pope's body "underwent a temporary embalming process known as thanatopraxy," with the goal of "a more serene and natural appearance of the deceased [that] lasts up to ...

By contrast, Pope John XXIII was embalmed with a mixture including ethyl alcohol and potassium nitrate. According to embalmer ...

Ahead of his lying-in-state, Pope Francis's body was made ready to withstand Rome's warm spring weather with a temporary embalming and a touch of make-up, an expert told AFP. The body of the 88 ...