The Vatican has released a photo of Pope Francis in his open coffin, dressed in a red robe with the papal mitre on his head and a rosary in his hand.
The image was taken in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta, Francis’s residence at the Vatican.
These visuals formed part of the ritual to formally confirm his death. According to Vatican officials, his passing was certified using electrocardiographic thanatography at 7:35 a.m. local time on 21 April.
How did Pope Francis die?
Francis, who was 88, died after suffering a cerebral stroke that left him in a coma and triggered irreversible heart failure. Dr Andrea Arcangeli, head of the Vatican’s Directorate of Health and Hygiene, confirmed the cause in a medical report, which also highlighted the Pope’s long-standing health conditions: Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic respiratory issues, and a history of bilateral pneumonia.
The Pope had recently been hospitalised for five weeks with pneumonia. He returned to his apartment and had resumed limited public engagements. His final public appearance was on Easter Sunday, where he offered blessings from the Popemobile in St Peter’s Square but was too frail to speak.
Cardinals begin funeral planning
With his death officially confirmed, cardinals gathered in the Vatican on Tuesday morning ..
Under new guidelines issued by Pope Francis himself, the funeral must occur within six days of death. Public viewing of his body at St Peter’s Basilica may begin as early as Wednesday.
Burial at Basilica of St Mary Major
In a departure from papal tradition, Francis requested a modest burial at the Papal Basilica of St Mary Major in Rome—rather than at St Peter’s Basilica. He will become the first pope in nearly 150 years to be buried outside St Peter’s, following the example of Pope Pius IX.
The decision reflects Francis’ long devotion to the Marian icon Salus Populi Romani, housed in the basilica’s Pauline Chapel. After every foreign visit, Francis made a point to stop there and pray before the Byzantine painting of the Virgin Mary holding the infant Jesus.
He returned there one last time on 12 April. His will, dated 29 June 2022, stated, “I wish my last earthly journey to end at this very ancient Marian shrine.”
“The tomb must be in the earth; simple, without particular decoration,” he wrote, adding there should be no mention of his papal title.
“With lively hope in eternal life, I offer the suffering of the last part of my life for peace in the world and brotherhood among peoples.”
Image source,EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
Image source,EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock