Farewell to a Giant: Vatican Releases Final Images of Pope Francis as World Prepares for Historic Funeral
The Vatican has released poignant final images of Pope Francis lying in an open coffin, just hours after his passing. Draped in red papal vestments with a rosary gently placed between his fingers, the beloved pontiff rests peacefully as the world mourns a towering spiritual figure.
Francis, the 88-year-old Argentine reformer who led the Catholic Church for 12 transformative years, died on Monday following a sudden stroke—just weeks after recovering from double pneumonia.
His funeral is scheduled for Saturday at 10 a.m. (0800 GMT) in front of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. The event is expected to draw global attention, with world leaders including Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelensky, Emmanuel Macron, and Ursula von der Leyen among the dignitaries expected to attend.
The Pope’s final moments were described as peaceful. According to Vatican News, he became unwell early Monday morning and later fell into a coma. Before slipping away, he waved one last time to his personal nurse—a silent gesture of farewell.
“He did not suffer. It all happened quickly,” a Vatican source shared.
On Wednesday, Francis’s body will be moved to St. Peter’s Basilica to lie in state, giving the faithful a chance to pay their last respects. His chosen resting place is the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, marking the first time in over a century a pope will be buried outside the Vatican.
Francis had previously expressed his desire for a modest burial. His tomb, according to his will, will be simple—bearing just the Latin inscription “Franciscus.”
Behind the scenes, the centuries-old transition process has already begun. Cardinals gathered for the first “general congregation” on Tuesday, initiating preparations for the conclave that will elect the next pope within the next 15 to 20 days.
Known for his humility, progressive stance, and relentless advocacy for migrants, the environment, and social equity, Francis was a pope who broke the mold. His papacy wasn’t without controversy, but it left an indelible impact on the Church and the world.
“He kept going right to the end, right to his last breath,” said Cardinal François-Xavier Bustillo of Corsica.
From the streets of Buenos Aires to the heart of the Vatican, Pope Francis changed the face of the papacy—fierce, kind, and unafraid to challenge the status quo.
Now, the world watches as a new chapter begins.
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