THE Vatican has released pictures showing Pope Francis inside an open coffin for the Confirmation of the Death of the Pontiff ceremony.
The leader of the Catholic Church, 88, died from a cerebral stroke and subsequent irreversible heart failure, the Vatican revealed 12 hours after his passing was announced.
APVatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, left, prays in front of the body of Pope Francis laid out in state inside his private chapel at the Vatican[/caption]
The rite confirming Francis’ death and the placement of his body in the coffin took place last night at the Chapel of Santa Marta, the Vatican has said.
Pope Francis had been hospitalised for weeks at the Gemelli hospital in Rome earlier this year after suffering a bout of bronchitis and double pneumonia.
He was discharged on March 23 after the 38-day stay and was able to bless crowds of worshippers on Easter Sunday.
But just hours later, Vatican officials announced the leader of the Catholic Church had passed away.
The cerebral stroke led to a coma and irreversible heart failure, a death certificate released by the Vatican said, 12 hours after the pope’s death was announced.
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