The body of Pope Francis is now lying in state at the Chapel of Santa Marta in Vatican City, where mourners and those wishing to pay their respects can view the pontiff.
The Vatican has released the first photo of Pope Francis lying in repose inside a wooden casket.
He is dressed in red vestments and his bishop’s miter, with the Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, praying over him.
The moment took place in the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta, the residence where Francis lived.
In line with his final wishes, his body, dressed in full papal vestments and holding a rosary, rested in a simple wooden casket.
In the photos by Vatican Media, the Pope is seen lying inside the casket, as if peacefully sleeping.
A rosary is placed on his hands, a sigh of his deep personal devotion to his spirituality. It reflects the belief in the communion of saints and the hope of eternal life.
This is as opposed to the customary bier, with a zinc lining instead of the traditional cypress, lead, and oak layers, symbolising his desire for simplicity and humility even in death.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Vatican said the Pope’s death was due to a stroke and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse.
According to the medical report, the Pope had a prior history of acute respiratory failure caused by multimicrobial bilateral pneumonia, multiple bronchiectases, high blood pressure, and Type II diabetes.
“His death was confirmed through electrocardiographic thanatography. I hereby declare that the causes of death, to the best of my knowledge and judgment, are as stated above,” Arcangeli said.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, served as the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church and was widely known for his progressive reforms and focus on social justice
by SHARON MWENDE
