Pope Francis passed away on Monday morning at the age of 88 due to a stroke and subsequent heart failure, the Vatican confirmed in a statement. He died at 7:35 AM in his apartment at Casa Santa Marta, with the cause of death confirmed by an ECG test.
The beloved pontiff had been battling several health issues, including bronchiectasis, arterial hypertension, and type 2 diabetes, The Guardian reported. His health had already been fragile following a severe pneumonia episode in February, during which he came close to death on two occasions.
In a departure from Vatican tradition, Pope Francis had requested to be buried in a simple, unadorned tomb. His will, published by the Vatican, specified that he wished to be buried at Santa Maria Maggiore church in Rome’s Esquilino district, rather than the customary burial place in the grottoes beneath St. Peter’s Basilica. The will indicated that the tomb should have no special decoration but should include the inscription of his papal name, “Franciscus,” in Latin.
Pope Francis, known for his humility and simplicity, had made his preference for a modest burial known prior to his death. Last year, he had also simplified papal funeral rites, in keeping with his desire to maintain a more understated approach to his papacy.
His body was transferred to a coffin at the Casa Santa Marta chapel on Monday evening. The coffin will be moved to St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday morning, where the public will have the opportunity to pay their respects.
As per the will, the cost of preparing the burial will be funded by a benefactor, and arrangements were made with Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, Extraordinary Commissioner of the Liberian Basilica, for the transfer of funds.
