Pope Francis‘ body has been pictured in an open coffin for the first time as Vatican funeral preparations begin. The 88-year-old, who died on Easter Monday, has been laid out in an open coffin at the Vatican for the Confirmation of the Death of the Pontiff ceremony. The placement of his body in the coffin took place last night at the Chapel of Santa Marta, according to the Vatican. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo, conducted the official declaration of death in a ceremony lasting under an hour.
Images released show the Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin praying in front of the body of Pope Francis, which was laid out in state inside his private chapel at the Vatican. The Vatican said Francis died of a stroke that put him into a coma and led his heart to fail.
Francis, who suffered from chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man, was admitted to Gemelli hospital on February 14, 2025, for a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia. He spent 38 days there, the longest hospitalisation of his 12-year papacy.
He made his last public appearance on Easter Sunday — a day before his death — to bless thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square, drawing wild cheers and applause. Beforehand, he met US Vice President JD Vance. Francis performed the blessing from the same loggia where he was introduced on March 13, 2013, as the 266th pope.
“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,” Cardinal Kevin Farrell said from the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta, where Francis lived.
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