Vatican shares images of Pope Francis lying in state
The Vatican has released official images of Pope Francis lying in state. The photographs, taken on Monday evening, show the Pope wearing a white mitre and a red chasuble, with a rosary in his hands.
He is flanked by two Swiss guards in the chapel of Casa Santa Marta, where he had lived for 12 years. He never moved into the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican.
Cardinals, officials and Vatican staff can pay their last respects to the Pope in the chapel. During the week, most likely on Wednesday morning, his body will be transferred to St Peter’s Basilica, where members of the public will be able to pay their last respects.
The College of Cardinals has been meeting since 9.00 to decide when Francis’ body will be moved. They will also decide when the funeral will take place. According to Vatican rules, it must take place between the fourth and sixth day after death, meaning Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
Friday is Liberation Day in Italy, a national holiday. Sources within the Vatican have told Italian media that the funeral will most likely be on Saturday.
Popes are usually buried in St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican but Francis wished to be buried in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. Seven Popes are buried there, but the last to choose to be buried there was Clement IX in 1669.
It was confirmed on Tuesday that Pope Francis died of a cerebrovascular accident that caused a coma and irreversible cardiac arrest. His death certificate was published by the Vatican.
He had been in poor health for some time and recently spent more than five weeks in hospital where he was treated for bronchitis and double pneumonia.
On Sunday, he appeared briefly on the balcony in front of thousands of faithful who had gathered in St Peter’s Square for Easter celebrations in what would be his last public appearance.
Handout picture provided by the Vatican Media shows Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell in front of Pope Francis’ body during the Rite of the Confirmation of the Pontiff’s Death at the Chapel of Santa Marta, 21 April 2025 © ANSA VIA ZUMA PRESS
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