The Vatican has released a picture of Pope Francis in his open coffin, dressed in a red robe with the papal mitre on his head and a rosary in his hand.
The image was taken in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta, Francis’s residence at the Vatican.
The Vatican say: “The rite confirming the death and the placement of Pope Francis’s body in the coffin took place on the evening of Monday 21 April in the ground-floor chapel of the Casa Santa Marta.
“The official declaration of death was read aloud. The act was validated by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church.
“The ceremony lasted just under an hour.
“Seals were also placed on the papal apartment on the third floor of the Apostolic Palace and on the apartment on the second floor of Casa Santa Marta, where the Pope had resided.
“On Tuesday morning, the first General Congregation of Cardinals will take place, during which a potential date for the funeral may be decided.”
The funeral for the Pope – who died aged 88 from a stroke and heart failure – must take place between the fourth and sixth day following his passing.
The Pope’s simple casket is expected to be moved to St Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday before burial so the public can pay their respects to the Holy Father
