People have been left stunned after discovering that the Pope is never able to be an organ donor - even if they have signed up to be one during their lifetime.
Following the death of Pope Francis at the age of 88 on Monday, April 21, a new rule has resurfaced regarding organ donation.
Vatican officials have explained why the leader of the Catholic church can not donate their organs, even if they have signed up to have an organ donor card.
Pope Francis's body is currently lying in St Peter's Basilica in Rome, Italy, where mourners are able to pay their respects at his open casket.
The pontiff, who took up the role in 2013, will be laid to rest on Saturday, April 26, with a service before his burial.
Before his death, Pope Francis outlined his personal burial wishes: “I have always entrusted my life and my priestly and episcopal ministry to the Mother of Our Lord, Mary Most Holy. Therefore, I ask that my mortal remains rest awaiting the day of resurrection in the Papal Basilica of St Mary Major," per The Independent.
He requested that his tomb be simple and unadorned, marked solely with the inscription “Franciscus.” He also specified the burial site within the basilica: “in the niche of the side nave between the Pauline Chapel, Chapel of the Salus Populi Romani, and the Sforza Chapel.”
Pope Francis had previously described the act of organ donation as "a testimony of love for our neighbor" when the Vatican hosted the European Organ Donation Day in October 2014, according to the Gift Of Life Donor Program.
However, despite his support for organ donation, Pope Francis will be buried with all of the organs he had when he died due to a centuries-old rule.
After it was revealed that the Pope could not donate organs, many assumed that it would be due to their advanced age, however, this is not the case.
Pope Francis's predecessor, Pope Benedict, was known to have an organ donor card but was not able to utilise it when he died.
A German doctor had used Benedict as an example to advocate the practise, but was asked to stop by the Vatican as they explained he was no able to donate his organs himself if he died as pope.
Pope Benedict - born Joseph Alois Ratzinger - had resigned in 2013 due to his advancing age - something which hadn't been done in over 600 years - with most popes holding the post until their death, and remained known as pope emeritus until he died in 2022 at the age of 95.
While he was still leader of the Catholic church, his secretary, Monsignor Georg Gaenswein, sent a letter to the doctor - which was shared in the media - explaining why he could not donate his organs.
The letter explained: "It's true that the pope owns an organ donor card ... but contrary to public opinion, the card issued back in the 1970s became de facto invalid with Cardinal Ratzinger's election to the papacy."
Vatican officials explained that upon a pope's death, his body belongs to the church and must be buried intact.
As reported by Reuters, if the pope's organs were to be donated and they were later made into a saint, the organs would become relics in other people's bodies.
Vatican spokesperson Federico Lombardi said at the time: "The pope evidently made the choice many years ago.
"As a private citizen he could make that decision, but now he has a different role."
Pope Benedict will be laid to rest on April 26 after he died at 7.35AM on April 21, just hours after he made his final public appearance on Easter Sunday, having experienced a sudden stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure.
The Holy See revealed that initial signs of the Pope's sudden illness emerged at approximately 5:30AM. Just an hour later, having made a silent gesture of farewell to his longtime nurse and aide Massimiliano Strappetti, he fell into a coma.
“According to those who were with him in his final moments, he did not suffer. It all happened quickly,” the Vatican stated, describing his death as “discreet … almost sudden, without long suffering or public alarm," cited by PEOPLE.
Among his final words, spoken the previous day, was a simple expression of gratitude. “Thank you,” Pope Francis told Strappetti, a medical professional the Pontiff once credited with saving his life by recommending colon surgery.
Despite his frailty, the Pope made an unexpected appearance in the popemobile on Easter Sunday, offering blessings to over 35,000 worshippers in St. Peter’s Square.
Before the outing, he asked his aide: “Do you think I can manage it?” Following the blessing, he said: “Thank you for bringing me back to the Square.” According to Vatican officials, he was “tired but content".