The world is paying tribute to Pope Francis, following his death on Easter Monday morning at the age of 88.
Pope Francis’ death certificate which was released by the Vatican overnight, said he died from a stroke that prompted irreversible heart failure. He had suffered a long series of health issues.
His body will likely be transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica tomorrow morning for worshippers to pay their respects.
American Cardinal Kevin Farrell has become the acting head of the Vatican until the College of Cardinals chooses the Pope’s successor during the conclave that will follow his funeral.
The tributes are coming by the millions. All across the world, both Catholic faithfuls and those belonging to other denominations and religions, are paying their respects to the man, the world had come to refer to as the People’s Pope.
At the Vatican, thousands of flowers, cards and candles are forming an ever growing memorial at St. Peter’s Square, the large plaza located directly in front of St. Peter’s Basilica, where the late Pope’s body is likely to be moved to on Wednesday.
The Pontiff’s death has prompted an outpouring of grief from Catholics across the globe. From Nigeria to South Sudan to Argentina, Poland to the Philippines.
Francis’s death has set into motion the political process for the Church to select a new leader in the coming weeks.
The Vatican has released images of the Pope in an open coffin, dressed in a red robe with the Papal mitre on his head and a rosary in his hand.
Cardinals have been meeting this morning to decide on a date for the funeral of the late Pope.
This is traditionally an elaborate affair, but Pope Francis recently approved plans to make the whole procedure less complex.
Previous Pontiffs were buried in 3 nested coffins made of Cypress, Lead and Oak. But, Pope Francis has opted for a simple Wooden coffin lined with Zinc.
He has also scrapped the tradition of placing the Pope’s body on a raised platform – known as a Catafalque – in St Peter’s Basilica for public viewing.
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Instead, mourners will be invited to pay their respects while his body remains inside the coffin, with the lid removed.
Francis will also be the first Pope in more than a century to be buried outside the Vatican. He will be laid to rest in the Basilica of St Mary Major, one of four major Papal Basilicas in Rome.
The process for choosing a new Pope known as a Conclave, generally takes place between 15 and 20 days after the death of a Pontiff.
He has to be chosen by the Catholic Church’s most senior officials known as the College of Cardinals.
The College of Cardinals, all men, are appointed directly by the Pope, and are usually ordained Bishops.
There are currently 252 Catholic Cardinals, 138 of whom are eligible to vote for the new Pope.
The others are over the age of 80, which means they cannot take part in the election, although they can join in the debate over who should be selected.
At the death of a Pope, the Cardinals are summoned to a meeting at the Vatican, followed by the conclave, as the election is known.
The election is held in strict secrecy inside the Sistine Chapel, famously painted by Michelangelo.
Individual Cardinals vote for their preferred candidate until a winner is determined, a process which can take several days. In previous centuries, voting has gone on for weeks or months. Some cardinals have even died during conclaves.
The only clue about how the election is proceeding is the smoke that emerges twice a day from burning the Cardinals’ ballot papers. Black signals failure. The traditional White smoke means the new Pope has been chosen.
After the White smoke goes up, the new Pope normally appears within an hour on the balcony overlooking St Peter’s Square.
The senior Cardinal participating in the Conclave will announce the decision with the words “Habemus Papam” – Latin for “we have a Pope”.
He will then introduce the new Pope by his chosen Papal name, which may or may not be his original name.
(Editor: Ken Eseni)
