Pope Francis died of stroke, willed to be buried in Rome
By
Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
Today 00:04
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Pope Francis expressed his wish not to be buried in the traditional papal tombs within the Vatican in a final testament unsealed on Monday.
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Faithful gather for a rosary prayer for the late Pope Francis, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Monday April 21, 2025 (AP)
Pope Francis has died at the age of 88 of a stroke and irreversible heart failure, according to Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, Director of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of the Vatican City State.
The Holy See announced the pontiff’s death earlier on Monday, confirming that he passed away at 5:35 GMT in his residence at Casa Santa Marta, inside Vatican City. Arcangeli revealed in the official death certificate published by the Vatican that prior to his death, Pope Francis had fallen into a coma.
A humble burial outside the Vatican
In a spiritual testament released on the same day, Pope Francis expressed his wish not to be buried in the traditional papal tombs within the Vatican. Instead, he requested to be laid to rest in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome, a site with deep Marian significance and personal devotion throughout his papacy.
"I ask that my mortal remains rest — awaiting the day of the Resurrection — in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major," the testament read.
The pope also specified that his tomb should be simple, placed directly in the ground, without ornate decorations, and bearing only the inscription: "Franciscus."
The Catholic Church is entering a critical transitional phase as the College of Cardinals prepares to convene at the Vatican to elect a new pope following thedeath of Pope Francis, who passed away Monday at the age of 88.
The papal conclave traditionally begins 15 to 20 days after the pope’s death, allowing time for funeral rites and a nine-day mourning period.
The conclave proceedings, held in the Sistine Chapel, attract global attention as the Church faces growing challenges, including declining influence in the West and rising prominence in the Global South.
The new pope will be tasked with navigating a delicate balance between reformist and conservative factions. Urgent priorities include addressing issues of transparency, governance, and adapting to global social changes, all amid ongoing demographic shifts and theological debates within the Church.
Long, difficult battle
Pope Francis, the first Jesuit and first Latin American pontiff, passed away on Monday at the age of 88 after a long battle with health issues, including double pneumonia.
The Vatican confirmed the news in a statement issued by Cardinal Kevin Farrell.
“Dearest brothers and sisters, it is with deep sorrow that I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis,” Cardinal Farrell said via the Vatican'sTelegramchannel.
“This morning at 7:35 am (0535 GMT), the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His church.”
Legacy of reform
WhenFrancis ascended to the papacy, the Catholic Church was reeling from decades of sexual abuse scandals and internal divisions.
He worked to revise canon law and open leadership roles in Vatican offices to laypeople.
His later years saw growing opposition from conservative cardinals, especially during the Vatican’s Synod in late 2023, part of a wide-ranging global consultation on the Church’s future, a process that now remains unfinished.
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