OK, I Just Had to Post This Short Embalming Story....Why? Because It's So Weird...
Did you know?
When Pope Pius XII died in 1958, the embalming was rushed and done improperly.
His personal physician, Riccardo Galeazzi-Lisi, tried an experimental method to preserve the Pope’s body without traditional embalming fluids.
Instead, he coated the body with layers of oils, resins, and plastic wraps — trying to mimic ancient techniques like those used on martyrs.
It went terribly wrong.
Instead of preserving him, it trapped heat and bacteria inside.
The body began to rapidly decompose, swell, and emit a terrible odor.
According to eyewitnesses, his body bloated and even split open in places during the lying-in-state.
Some reports say his nose collapsed, his skin darkened and peeled, and at one point, a loud crack was heard... possibly from gases inside the body causing internal ruptures.
People attending the viewing said it was difficult to stay in the basilica because of the smell.
Because of this debacle...
The Church tightened and formalized its embalming rules afterward.
Galeazzi-Lisi was forced to resign in disgrace.
It remains one of the most infamous papal funerary disasters.
Aren’t you glad I shared this?
Hmm