NewsFarewell to Pope Francis: Vatican mourns a beloved leader

Farewell to Pope Francis: Vatican mourns a beloved leader

On Monday evening at the Domus Sanctae Marthae, where Francis lived and passed away, the official declaration of his death took place, reported the Vatican. The body of the pope was placed in a coffin.

Vatican. The body of the pope placed in a coffin
Vatican. The body of the pope placed in a coffin
Images source: © PAP | FABIO FRUSTACI
Maciej Zubel

What do you need to know?

  • A ceremony for the official declaration of Francis's death took place in the chapel of the Domus Sanctae Marthae in the Vatican.
  • The death certificate was read and confirmed by the Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, Cardinal Kevin Farrell.
  • The chapel where the pope's body lies has been opened for his collaborators who wish to pray by his coffin.

The Vatican reported that on Monday evening the death certificate was read and confirmed by the Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, Cardinal Kevin Farrell.

The ceremony declaring the pope's death lasted about an hour and ended with a prayer. Subsequently, the pope's body was placed in a coffin.

The Vatican press office announced that the chapel on the ground floor of the Domus Sanctae Marthae was opened for the pope's collaborators. These individuals can pray by the coffin before it is displayed for all the faithful in St. Peter's Basilica.

The death of Pope Francis

A stroke and irreversible cardiac collapse were the causes of the pope's death, reported the Vatican press office in a communiqué.

Pope Francis expressed in his will the wish for his resting place to be in the Roman Basilica of St. Mary Major. The pope also ordered a simple tombstone with the sole inscription "Franciscus."

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