The casket of Pope Francis was opened: the Vatican published photos before the ceremony PHOTO

The ritual confirming the death of Pope Francis and placing his body in a coffin took place last night in the chapel of Saint Martha, the Vatican announced, reports the Daily Mail.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell read the official death certificate during the ceremony, which lasted just under an hour.

Seals were placed on the apartments in the Apostolic Palace, as well as on the apartment in the Chapel of St. Martha, where the Pope stayed.

Tanjug/Vatican Media via AP, HO

 

Cardinals are meeting at the Vatican today to begin planning the funeral and elaborate rituals that mark the end of one papal service and the beginning of the next.

In the coming days, the cardinals will prepare his funeral, plan a conclave to choose a successor and make other important decisions regarding the running of the Catholic Church.

Pope Francis died yesterday at the age of 88, after a stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure. He was recovering in his suite after spending five weeks in hospital with pneumonia.

The last time he appeared in public was on Sunday, when he sent an Easter blessing and a final greeting to those gathered in St. Peter's Square from the popemobile.

The Vatican's announcement states that at a meeting of cardinals, it was decided that Pope Francis will be buried on Saturday, April 26 at 10 a.m. local time.

The casket with his body will be transferred to St. Peter's Basilica on Wednesday morning, where it will remain until the funeral.