Following the death of Pope Francis, the Vatican has released the first photos of his body, initiating the papal funeral rites. The funeral Mass is scheduled for April 26 in St. Peter's Square, with Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re presiding. The Pope's body will be available for public viewing starting April 23 in St. Peter's Basilica. Cardinal Kevin Farrell oversaw the initial rites, including the sealing of the papal apartments and the preparation of the body for burial. The College of Cardinals has convened to manage the transition and prepare for the interregnum.
2 months ago
Following the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, the Vatican initiated the first steps in the papal funeral rites 9. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the camerlengo, presided over the "rite of the ascertainment of death and deposition in the coffin" in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta, the Pope's Vatican residence 1 9. The rite, which lasted under an hour, confirmed the Pope's death and prepared his body for public viewing 9. The director of the Vatican's health services, Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, certified the cause of death as a stroke, coma, and irreversible cardiovascular collapse 9.
The Pope's body was dressed in red liturgical vestments, including the miter and pallium, and placed in a simple wooden coffin with a zinc lining 1 9. The Easter candle was lit and placed nearby 1. Cardinal Farrell, along with Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, also sealed the papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace, although Pope Francis did not reside there during his pontificate 1 9.
With the death of the Pope, the College of Cardinals assumes a central role during the sede vacante, the period when the Holy See is vacant 1 9. The first "general congregation" of cardinals was held on April 22, 2025, with approximately 60 cardinals in attendance 1 4. The cardinals decided on the funeral arrangements, including the date and time, and drew lots to select three cardinals to assist the chamberlain in the general governance of the Church 4. Cardinals Pietro Parolin, Fabio Baggio, and Stanisław Ryłko were chosen for the initial three-day term 1 4. The meeting commenced with a prayer for the Pope and a reading of his final testament, in which he requested to be buried at Rome's Basilica of St. Mary Major and offered his suffering for world peace 1 4. Scheduled beatifications were also postponed 4.
The Vatican released the first photos of Pope Francis after his death, showing him in repose in the chapel of the Santa Marta guesthouse 1 3. The photos depicted the Pope in red vestments, holding a rosary, and flanked by Swiss Guards 1. On April 23, the Pope's casket will be moved in a solemn procession to St. Peter's Basilica, where it will be placed near the main altar for public viewing 1 6. The public viewing is scheduled to conclude on April 25, followed by a prayer service to close the coffin 3. Cardinal Mauro Gambetti led a rosary in St. Peter's Square on April 21 for the repose of Pope Francis' soul 7 9. The funeral Mass, known as the "Missa poenitentialis," will be held in St. Peter's Square on April 26 at 10 a.m. local time 1 3. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, will preside over the liturgy 3 6.
Pope Francis' death marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Catholic Church 2. The College of Cardinals is now tasked with electing his successor, a process that will likely involve intense discussions and potential divisions 2. Some observers believe the cardinals face real questions about what they think the papacy should be, and what kind of man can deliver that 2. The selection of the next pope is widely seen as a referendum on Pope Francis's legacy and whether the Church will continue on its current path or undergo a course correction 2.
How does the Church understand death and afterlife?
The Catholic Church understands death as the end of earthly life, but not the end of existence . The Church believes in the resurrection of the dead and life everlasting. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) addresses the topics of death, judgment, heaven, hell, and purgatory.
Death is the end of earthly life . "It is because of Christ that Christian death has positive meaning" . "All who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven" .
Each person receives eternal retribution in their immortal soul at the moment of death, in a particular judgment by Christ . This retribution is dependent on their faith and works .
Those who die in God's grace and friendship and are perfectly purified live forever with Christ . They are like God, for they see Him as He is, face to face . This perfect life with the Most Holy Trinity, communion of life and love with the Trinity, the Virgin Mary, the angels and all the blessed, is called heaven . Heaven is the ultimate end and fulfillment of the deepest human longings, the state of supreme, definitive happiness .
Purgatory is the state of those who die in God’s friendship, assured of their eternal salvation, but who still have need of purification to enter into the joy of heaven . The Church believes that the souls in purgatory are helped by the prayers of the living . "From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Sacrifice of the Eucharist, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God" .
The Church believes that definitive state of damnation awaits those who die burdened with grave sin . This state of definitive self-exclusion from communion with God and the blessed is called "hell" . The chief punishment of hell is eternal separation from God, in whom alone man can have the life and happiness for which he was created . The Church affirms the existence of hell and its eternity .