Pope Francis is laid out in open coffin at The Vatican for key ceremony as cardinals plan for his successor

THE Vatican has released pictures showing Pope Francis inside an open coffin during the rite of confirmation of the Pontiff's death.

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.

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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.

The coffin would now be taken into St Peter's Basilica for public viewing.

Pope Francis' death has plunged 1.4billion Catholics across the globe into mourning.

The pontiff 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.

Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo, said in a statement: "At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father.

"His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church."

The pontiff's spiritual testament has since been released, dated 29 June 2022, revealing his wishes to be buried in St. Mary Major Basilica in a simple, underground tomb.

Some of his testament reads: "Throughout my life, and during my ministry as a priest and bishop, I have always entrusted myself to the, mother of our lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary.

"For this reason, I ask that my mortal remains rest - awaiting the day of the resurrection - in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major.

"I wish my final earthly journey to end precisely in this ancient Marian sanctuary, where I would always stop to pray at the beginning and end of every apostolic journey, confidently entrusting my intentions to the Immaculate Mother, and giving thanks for her gentle and maternal care."

The pontiff decreed in his will that he would be buried in St. Mary Major Basilica in a simple underground tomb, unlike the previous popes who had been buried in the crypts beneath St Peter's Basilica.

He also said he had arranged for an unnamed benefactor to cover the costs of the burial.

It came just one day after the pope appeared in front of thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square in what was his first full public appearance since he was discharged from the hospital earlier this year.

The crowd shouted and cheered as a frail-looking Francis looped through the square in his open-topped popemobile and then up and down the main avenue leading to it.

He stopped occasionally to bless babies brought up to him, just weeks after fighting for his life.

Brothers and sisters, Happy Easter!" Francis said.

Francis didn't celebrate the Easter Mass in the piazza, delegating it to Cardinal Angelo Comastri - the retired archpriest of St. Peter's Basilica.

But after the Mass ended, Francis appeared on the loggia balcony over the basilica entrance for more than 20 minutes and imparted the apostolic blessing in Latin.

The crowd of people below, estimated by the Vatican to be more than 35,000, erupted in cheers as a military band kicked off rounds of the Holy See anthem.

The pontiff was admitted to the hospital in February after suffering a severe bout of bronchitis.

His condition appeared to worsen as doctors had to change treatment for the Pope's respiratory tract infection due to a "complex clinical situation".

And it was then confirmed he was suffering from double pneumonia after undergoing an X-ray.

He underwent blood transfusions and was described as being in a "critical" condition.

The Vatican said at the time that "the prognosis is reserved".

Two people close to the pontiff claimed Francis told them he "might not make it this time" while he was diagnosed with severe lung disease, according to a report by Politico.

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