Images of Pope Francis’s body inside a coffin have been released as mourners flock to the Vatican to pay their respects.
The pontiff might be seen lying in his vestments with a rosary clasped between his fingers as guards stand beside his body.
The 88-year-old’s death was announced yesterday morning, with the Catholic Church revealing he suffered a stroke and a cardiac arrest.
His final testament reveals he desires to be buried in a straightforward underground tomb.
A few of his testament reads: ‘As I sense the approaching twilight of my earthly life, and with firm hope in everlasting life, I want to set out my final wishes solely regarding the place of my burial.
‘Throughout my life, and through my ministry as a priest and bishop, I actually have at all times entrusted myself to the, mother of our lord, the blessed Virgin Mary.
‘For that reason, I ask that my mortal stays rest – awaiting the day of the resurrection – within the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major.
‘I wish my final earthly journey to finish precisely on this ancient Marian sanctuary, where I might at all times stop to hope firstly and end of each apostolic journey, confidently entrusting my intentions to the Immaculate Mother, and giving thanks for her gentle and maternal care.’
Pope Francis might be lying in state inside St Peter’s Basilica from Wednesday, in response to the Vatican and Italian media.
Matteo Bruni, the Vatican spokesman, said: ‘The transfer of the body of the Holy Father to the Vatican Basilica for the homage of all of the faithful could happen on Wednesday morning.’
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