The Vatican has released photos of Pope Francis being laid out in his open coffin for the Confirmation of the Death of the Pontiff ceremony.
The ceremony, which took place last night and lasted just under an hour, saw Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo, read the official declaration of death aloud.
Francis’ body was also placed in an open wooden casket in the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta hotel. Photographs released by the Vatican today show the pontiff lying peacefully, dressed in red liturgical vestments with the papal mitre on his head and a rosary in his hand, as the Vatican secretary of state prayed over him.
Seals were also placed on the papal apartment in the Apostolic Palace and on the apartment in Chapel of Santa Marta, where Francis had resided.
Per tradition, the camerlengo breaks the pontiff’s Fisherman’s ring with a special hammer and destroys the used to make the papal seal, which is placed on apostolic letters, before sealing the apartment. These items will then be buried with the pope.
The Congregation of Cardinals, which assembled for at the Vatican for the first time this morning, also confirmed details of Francis’ after releasing the first images of the late pope. The service will take place on Saturday, with his body going on public display from tomorrow for mourners to pay their respects.
There will now be nine days of official mourning, but the historic process of the conclave – where cardinals will gather in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican to choose the next pope – will not begin for at least 15 days from the date of Francis’ death.
Francis died yesterday aged 88 after suffering a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure. He had been recovering in his apartment after being hospitalised for five weeks with pneumonia.
He made his last public appearance on Sunday, delivering an Easter blessing and making what would be his final greeting to followers from his popemobile, looping around St. Peter’s Square.
The body of Pope Francis has been laid out in open coffin at the Vatican for the Confirmation of the Death of the Pontiff ceremony
Pope Francis in his open coffin during the rite of the Confirmation of the Death of the Pontiff at the Chapel of Santa Marta in The Vatican
On Easter Sunday, the Pope had appeared on the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica to deliver a blessing to 35,000 faithful in St Peter’s Square
Pope Francis dead at 88: Catholics in mourning as pontiff dies
