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Pope Francis (born Jorge Mario Bergoglio; December 17, 1936), the head of the Roman Catholic Church, has died.
The Vatican made the announcement in an official statement released on Easter Monday.
According to the statement, the Pope passed away at his residence in Casa Santa Marta, within Vatican City.
“Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis.”
“At 7:35 this morning (local time), the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church.”
While papal funerals have traditionally been elaborate, Pope Francis had recently approved a more simplified approach to the ceremony.
Historically, popes were interred in three nested coffins made of cypress, lead, and oak. In contrast, Francis chose a simpler wooden coffin lined with zinc.
He also discontinued the long-standing custom of placing the Pope’s body on a raised platform—known as a catafalque—in St Peter’s Basilica for public viewing. Instead, mourners will be allowed to pay their respects while his body lies inside the coffin, with the lid removed.
In another departure from tradition, Francis will be the first pope in over a century to be buried outside the Vatican. He will be laid to rest in the Basilica of St Mary Major, one of the four major papal basilicas in Rome.
