Pope Francis dies latest: Vatican confirms funeral date after releasing images of pontiff in open casket
Cardinals meeting in the Vatican to plan Pope Francis’ funeral have confirmed it will be held on Saturday morning, which will start the first of nine days of mourning.
The update cames after the Vatican released images of the late Pope in an open casket, adorned in a red robe with the papal mitre and a rosary.
Pope Francis, 88, died following a stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure, the Vatican announced.
The pope was hospitalised for several weeks in February, after suffering from double pneumonia. He returned to the Vatican in mid-March to recover.
Bells tolled in chapels, cathedrals and churches globally and flags flew at half staff in Italy, India, Taiwan and the United States. Mourners teared up in cathedrals as they prayed for the late Pope.
Soccer matches in Italy and Argentina were also suspended in honor of the Argentine pope who was a lifelong fan of the San Lorenzo soccer club.
In his final testament, the pontiff requested to be buried at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome with the inscription of his papal name in Latin: Franciscus.
Pope Francis, the first pope from Latin America, led the 1.4 billion-member church since 2013.
