Vatican releases first images of Pope Francis in open coffin
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Pope Francis's body is laid out in state inside his private chapel at the Vatican, Monday, April 21, 2025. (Vatican Media via AP, HO)
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On Tuesday, the Vatican released the first official images of Pope Francis lying in an open coffin, marking the beginning of mourning rites following his death. The solemn photos, published by the Holy See, show the late pontiff in red liturgical vestments and a bishop's mitre, with a rosary gently resting between his folded hands.The images were taken inside the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta—the Vatican guesthouse where Pope Francis lived throughout his papacy and where he died on Monday. Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin is seen praying over the body.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.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.With his death officially confirmed, cardinals gathered in the Vatican on Tuesday morning to initiate the process for the Pope's funeral, burial, and the eventual election of a new pontiff. The Congregation of Cardinals began its first formal meeting at 9 a.m. in the Synod Hall.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.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.'Pope Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He became the first Latin American pope in March 2013. His papacy spanned over a decade marked by attempts at Church reform, outreach to the poor, and efforts to bridge global divides.In his autobiography Hope, he wrote, 'The Vatican is the home of my final service, not my eternity.'His Easter Sunday appearance—waving from the same balcony where he was first introduced to the world twelve years ago—now serves as a poignant end to a life of faith, simplicity, and service.(With inputs from Agencies)
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