The Vatican is issuing death certificates, a request from Pontife to be buried in the cathedral of St. Mary’s Major, Rome.
Pope Francis died of brain stroke and irreversible heart failure, Vatican Dr Andrea Arkangeri said in his death certificate.
The certificate, released Monday for the 88-year-old Pope, said the Pope had fallen into coma on Monday morning before his death.
Francis died of “a brain stroke, coma, irreversible cardiac disruption,” the death certificate said. The first Latin American pope in the history of the Roman Catholic Church, added that he died at 7:35am (05:35 GMT) in the apartment at Santa Marta Mansion in the Vatican.
Just a day ago, the Pope welcomed thousands of Easter worshippers from the open-top popemobile at St. Peters Square and gave him blessings through his aides, making what would be his last big appearance.
Francis suffered from various illnesses in the Pope for 12 years, with life-threatening complications, during a 38-day double pneumonia match in February and March at Gemeri University Hospital in Rome.
The death certificate added that Francis also suffers from arterial hypertension, multiple bronchiectasis, type 2 diabetes and an illness that had not been previously disclosed.
The Vatican has also issued a written statement of Francis’ spiritual will – Faith. Unlike many of his predecessors, he said he wanted to be buried in St. Mary’s Major Cathedral in Rome, not St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.
The designated Francis wanted to be buried “on the ground” “without any particular decoration,” but there was an inscription in Latin that his pope name: Franciscus.
“I feel that I have a firm hope for my earthly life and my eternal hope, so I would like to show only my final wish for the location of the burial,” read the will dated June 29, 2022.
“May the Lord loves me and gives me the right reward to all those who continue to pray for me,” it said.
Rosary Prayer
On Monday evening, the Vatican gave a Rosary prayer at St. Peters Square, marking its first public opening since the Pope’s death. Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, archbishop of St. Peter’s Cathedral, led his prayers at sunset.
Sister Raffaella Petrini, president of Vatican City and one of the Vatican’s most ranked women, made her first reading. Her appointment was a sign of Francis’ claim that women could be given a more prominent decision-making role.
Francis’ death marks the beginning of nine days of mourning, known as Novendiale.
His body is dressed in the Pope’s clothes and placed in St. Peter’s Cathedral for public viewing before his burial. Daily prayer services and the masses of Requiem will be held in the Catholic Churches around the world and at St. Peter’s Basilica.
The Vatican also enters a transitional period called the Sede Vacante or Interregnum, during which time power is handed over to the Cardinal of University, but no major decisions are made until the Pope is satisfied.
In about 15-20 days, Cardinals under the age of 80 will convene in the sealed Sistine Chapel of Vatican City and elect a new Pope through a secret vote. When the next Pope is elected, white smoke will emerge from the chimney of the chapel.
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