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| The body of Pope Francis lies in state at the Vatican's Domus Sanctae Marthae chapel, Monday, April 21, 2025. Credit: Vatican Media |
On Tuesday, April 22, 2025, the Vatican released the first official photos and video of Pope Francis lying in state.
The images show the late pontiff dressed in red liturgical vestments, wearing a bishop’s mitre, and holding a rosary in his folded hands, resting in an open coffin inside the chapel of Casa Santa Marta, his Vatican residence.
Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday, April 21, 2025, at age 88 after suffering a stroke that led to irreversible heart failure, had been hospitalized recently for pneumonia.
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| Pope Francis’ hands are seen as his body lies in state at the Vatican’s Domus Sanctae Marthae chapel, Monday, April 21, 2025. Credit: Vatican Media |
His death marked the end of a 12-year papacy characterized by reform efforts and outreach to the poor.
The Vatican confirmed that Pope Francis’ funeral will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 10 a.m. in St. Peter’s Square.
Public viewing of his body is set to begin on Wednesday at St. Peter’s Basilica, following a procession from his residence.
In a departure from tradition, Pope Francis requested to be buried at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome, rather than St. Peter’s Basilica. This reflects his deep devotion to the Marian icon Salus Populi Romani housed there, where he often prayed after foreign visits.
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| Cardinal Kevin Farrell blesses Pope Francis as he lies in state at the Vatican’s Domus Sanctae Marthae before his transfer to St. Peter’s Basilica for public veneration, Monday, April 21, 2025. Credit: Vatican Media |
According to the statement, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, “Will preside at the Mass, which will be concelebrated by Patriarchs, Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, and priests from across the globe.”
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The body of Pope Francis lies in state at the Vatican’s Domus Sanctae Marthae chapel, surrounded by Swiss Guards, cardinals, and Vatican officials paying their respects before his transfer to St. Peter’s Basilica for public veneration, Monday, April 21, 2025. Credit: Vatican Media |
The statement also explains: “The Eucharistic celebration will conclude with the Ultima commendatio and the Valedictio. The late Pope Francis’ body will then be taken into St. Peter’s Basilica and then to the Basilica of St. Mary Major for entombment.
“Ahead of the funeral, the coffin containing the Pope’s body will be carried from the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta to St. Peter’s Basilica.”
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| The body of Pope Francis lies in state at the Vatican’s Domus Sanctae Marthae chapel, Monday, April 21, 2025. Credit: Vatican Media |
Meanwhile, Cardinals convened on Tuesday to begin funeral arrangements and to prepare for the conclave to elect the next pope. The funeral will be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals.
The release of these solemn images marks the beginning of official mourning and honors the legacy of a pope who served with humility and dedication until his final days
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