Images of the Pope in his coffin released: The detail of the rosary at the funeral

Following the death of Pope Francis at the age of 88, the traditional mourning process that has been practiced in the Vatican for centuries has begun. As the first images of the Pope's remains were shared with the public, symbolic steps such as the coffin ceremony, the sealing of the room, and the destruction of the ring were carried out one by one.

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Images of the Pope in his coffin released: The detail of the rosary at the funeral

Following the death of Pope Francis, the spiritual leader of the Catholic world and Head of State of the Vatican, at the age of 88, a historic mourning process has begun in Rome. It was announced that the Pope passed away due to a stroke and irreversible heart failure. Following his death, the first procedures in accordance with centuries-old religious traditions in the Vatican were announced to the public.

FIRST IMAGES FROM THE VATICAN

On Monday, April 21, 2025, Pope Francis's body was placed in a coffin in a private chapel in the Vatican. During the ceremony, Cardinal Camerlengo Kevin Joseph Farrell, Archbishop Diego Giovanni Ravelli, and Vatican Master of Ceremonies Lubomir Welnitz performed one of the final religious rites by sprinkling holy water on the Pope's body. Images of these moments were released by the Vatican.

DEATH OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED

The Pope's death notice was announced by being read aloud in accordance with official procedure at around 20:00 on the same day. Following this announcement, the traditional transition process officially began. Accompanied by Camerlengo Cardinal Farrell, Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, and Archbishop Edgar Pena Parra, the private residence used by the Pope and his personal rooms in the Apostolic Palace were sealed.

THE FISHERMAN'S RING IS NO MORE

A symbolic step of the "sede vacante" process, which means the vacancy of the office in the Catholic Church, was also taken. The "Fisherman's Ring," which the Pope used as a seal and which held symbolic importance in the approval of documents and decrees during his tenure, was ceremonially destroyed in accordance with canon law.

HE REQUESTED AN UNADORNED TOMB

According to Pope Francis's previously disclosed will, he wished to be buried in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome with a simple ceremony. Only his Latin papal title, "Franciscus," will be written on his tombstone. With this decision, he will be the first Pope since 1914 to be buried outside of St. Peter's Basilica.