THE Vatican has released pictures showing Pope Francis inside an open coffin during the rite of confirmation of the Pontiff’s death.
The leader of the Catholic Church, 88, died from a cerebral stroke and subsequent irreversible heart failure on Easter Monday, the Vatican confirmed.
Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, left, prays in front of the body of Pope Francis laid out in state inside his private chapel at the Vatican[/caption]
The body of Pope Francis is placed in an open casket during the rite of the declaration of death[/caption]
A rosary is seen as the body of Pope Francis is placed in an open casket[/caption]
Cardinal Kevin Farrell and other Vatican officials announce the death of Pope Francis in a video statement[/caption]
Cardinals are now meeting in the Vatican to decide the date for the Pope’s funeral[/caption]
The rite confirming Francis’ death and the placement of his body in the coffin took place last night at the Chapel of Santa Marta, the Vatican has said.
The coffin would now be taken into St Peter’s Basilica for public viewing.
Pope Francis’ death has plunged 1.4billion Catholics across the globe into mourning.
Key developments in the last 24 hours:
- The Vatican revealed Pope Francis’ burial wish: a simple underground tomb in St Mary Major Basilica
- All cardinals in Rome were summoned to the Apostolic Palace to prepare for the rites
- The Italian government declared national mourning
- King Charles paid tribute, saying the pope touched ‘the lives of so many’
- Donald Trump confirmed he and Melania will attend the funeral in Rome
- Brazil’s President Lula declared a seven-day mourning period
Follow our live blog for the latest updates
The pontiff had been hospitalised for weeks at the Gemelli hospital in Rome earlier this year after suffering a bout of bronchitis and double pneumonia.
He was discharged on March 23 after the 38-day stay and was able to bless crowds of worshippers on Easter Sunday.
But just hours later, Vatican officials announced the leader of the Catholic Church had passed away.
The cerebral stroke led to a coma and irreversible heart failure, a death certificate released by the Vatican said, 12 hours after the pope’s death was announced.
Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo, said in a statement: “At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father.
“His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church.”
The pontiff’s spiritual testament has since been released, dated 29 June 2022, revealing his wishes to be buried in St. Mary Major Basilica in a simple, underground tomb.
Some of his testament reads: “Throughout my life, and during my ministry as a priest and bishop, I have always entrusted myself to the, mother of our lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary.
“For this reason, I ask that my mortal remains rest – awaiting the day of the resurrection – in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major.
“I wish my final earthly journey to end precisely in this ancient Marian sanctuary, where I would always stop to pray at the beginning and end of every apostolic journey, confidently entrusting my intentions to the Immaculate Mother, and giving thanks for her gentle and maternal care.”
The pontiff decreed in his will that he would be buried in St. Mary Major Basilica in a simple underground tomb, unlike the previous popes who had been buried in the crypts beneath St Peter’s Basilica.
He also said he had arranged for an unnamed benefactor to cover the costs of the burial.
What’s happening today at Vatican?
Cardinals are gathering this morning in the Vatican for a high-stakes meeting to kick off funeral planning and preparations for choosing Pope Francis’s successor.
According to the apostolic constitution, today’s agenda will focus on a number of urgent decisions, including:
- Setting the date and time of the funeral, which must take place “between the fourth and sixth day after death”
- Determining when the pope’s body will be moved to St Peter’s Basilica for public homage
- Arranging accommodation for the 135 cardinals flying in for the conclave, likely at the House of St Martha
- Choosing two ecclesiastics to deliver “well-prepared meditations” on challenges facing the Church and what qualities to seek in the next pope
- Discussing funeral costs and reviewing any final documents Pope Francis may have left
- Picking the date for the conclave, expected to begin 15–20 days after his death
The meeting marks the start of a historic transition for the 1.4 billion-member Church.
It came just one day after the pope appeared in front of thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square in what was his first full public appearance since he was discharged from the hospital earlier this year.
The crowd shouted and cheered as a frail-looking Francis looped through the square in his open-topped popemobile and then up and down the main avenue leading to it.
He stopped occasionally to bless babies brought up to him, just weeks after fighting for his life.
Brothers and sisters, Happy Easter!” Francis said.
Francis didn’t celebrate the Easter Mass in the piazza, delegating it to Cardinal Angelo Comastri – the retired archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica.
But after the Mass ended, Francis appeared on the loggia balcony over the basilica entrance for more than 20 minutes and imparted the apostolic blessing in Latin.
The crowd of people below, estimated by the Vatican to be more than 35,000, erupted in cheers as a military band kicked off rounds of the Holy See anthem.
Pope waves hand at thousands of people on Easter Sunday[/caption]
Nuns and faithful attend a rosary prayer for the late Pope Francis, in St. Peter’s Square[/caption]
Nuns and faithful attend a rosary prayer for the late Pope Francis, in St. Peter’s Square[/caption]
People stretch to receive copies of a special edition of the Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano announcing the death of Pope Francis[/caption]
Cardinal Kevin Farrell and other Vatican officials announce the death of Pope Francis in a video statement[/caption]
The pontiff was admitted to the hospital in February after suffering a severe bout of bronchitis.
His condition appeared to worsen as doctors had to change treatment for the Pope’s respiratory tract infection due to a “complex clinical situation”.
And it was then confirmed he was suffering from double pneumonia after undergoing an X-ray.
He underwent blood transfusions and was described as being in a “critical” condition.
The Vatican said at the time that “the prognosis is reserved”.
Two people close to the pontiff claimed Francis told them he “might not make it this time” while he was diagnosed with severe lung disease, according to a report by Politico.
Who will be the next Pope?
FOLLOWING the death of Pope Francis on the morning of Easter Monday, attention turns to the question of his successor.
Francis led the Catholic church for 12 years, right up until his death at 88 – as is tradition.
After the nine days of mourning have been observed – during which time Francis will be buried – the papal conclave will begin in order to select a successor.
All 252 cardinals from around the world will travel to Rome for the secret ballot, in which a maximum of 115 can vote.
When a candidate has two-thirds of the vote, they will be appointed Pope through a pontifical coronation.
Here are some of the front-runners:
- Cardinal Luis Tagle
- Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu
- Cardinal Pietro Parolin
- Cardinal Wim Ejik
- Cardinal Raymond Burke
- Cardinal Peter Erdo
- Cardinal Matteo Zuppi
- Cardinal Mario Grech
TRIBUTES POUR IN
Emotional tributes are pouring in for the pontiff as the world mourns the death of Pope Francis.
President Donald Trump wrote on The Truth Social: “Rest in Peace, Pope Francis! May God bless him and all who loved him!”
The Republican also ordered all federal and state flags to fly at half mast in honour of the pontiff.
King Charles said he was “deeply saddened” to hear of the death of Pope Francis.
The king said in his message: “My wife and I were most deeply saddened to learn of the death of Pope Francis.
“Our heavy hearts have been somewhat eased, however, to know that His Holiness was able to share an Easter Greeting with the Church and the world he served with such devotion throughout his
life and ministry.
“His Holiness will be remembered for his compassion, his concern for the unity of the Church and for his tireless commitment to the common causes of all people of faith, and to those of goodwill who work for the benefit of others.
“His belief that care for Creation is an existential expression of faith in God resounded with so many across the world.”
US President Donald Trump and Pope Francis meet at the Vatican in May 2017[/caption]
Pope Francis speaks with the then-Prince Charles in October 2019[/caption]
Pope Francis and Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin in July 2019[/caption]
Sir Keir Starmer also paid tribute to the pontiff, saying: “Deeply saddened to hear the death of His Holiness Pope Francis.
Football legend Lionel Messi said the pontiff was a “unique pope” and thanked him for “making the world a better place”.
French President Emmanuel Macron said that throughout his pontificate, Pope Francis had always sided with the most vulnerable and the most fragile, and that he did this with a lot of humility.
“In this time of war and brutality, he had a sense for the other, for the most fragile,” Macron told reporters.
Dutch PM Dick Schoof said: “Pope Francis was in every way a man of the people, the clobal catholic community bids farewell to a leader who recognised the burning issues of our day and called attention to them.”
Meanwhile, tyrant Vladimir Putin said: “I had the privilege of communicating with this outstanding man on many occasions, and I will forever retain the fondest memory of him.”
And Spain’s King Felipe VI has said we will “continue to be inspired by the pope’s conviction in the need to bring encouragement and comfort to the poorest and most needy”
‘REFORMER’ POPE
Pope Francis made history when he became the first leader of the Catholic Church from the Americas.
The then 76-year-old Archbishop of Buenos Aires, who was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was given his new name after he was elected to succeed Pope Benedict XVI on March 13, 2013.
He was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on December 17, 1936, to Italian immigrants.
The Argentine had worked as a bouncer before turning to the priesthood after recovering from pneumonia back in 1958.
Francis was ordained a priest on 13 December 1969 and trained in Spain for a year before moving back to Argentina.
Francis took over the role of Pope in 2014, and was seen as an outspoken moderniser, reformist and progressive.
He had championed the decriminalisation of homosexuality, warned against threats to democracy, and supported the cause of refugees.
When he became the Pope, he shunned a grand papal apartment and chose to live in a modest two-room residence.
