Pope Francis latest: The doctors' advice that had been given after 38 days in hospital
Grief and tributes are pouring in from around the world following the death of Pope Francis, who died at the age of 88. Doctors at Rome’s Gemelli hospital had prescribed complete rest, it has emerged. But the typically active Pope was never likely to follow it.
The pontiff died after suffering a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure just a day after delivering an Easter blessing and popemobile tour through a cheering crowd in St Peter’s Square. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described him as “a moral leader of great courage,” praising his efforts to tackle inequality and bridge divides across faiths and communities. Donald Trump, despite past clashes with the pontiff, called him “a compassionate leader” and ordered flags across the US to be flown at half-staff, confirming he and the First Lady would attend the funeral. The Vatican has yet to confirm a funeral date, but preparations are underway for the conclave that will elect his successor.
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In his will, Pope Francis confirmed he would be buried at St Mary Major basilica, which is outside the Vatican and home to his favourite icon of the Virgin Mary.
After every foreign trip, Francis would go to the basilica to pray before the Byzantine-style painting, which features an image of Mary draped in a blue robe holding the infant Jesus, who in turn holds a golden book.
Francis stopped at the basilica on his way home from the Gemelli hospital on March 23 after his 38-day hospital stay to deliver flowers to be placed before the icon.
He returned on April 12 to pray before the Madonna for the last time.
Cardinals will meet Tuesday at the Vatican to begin preparations for Pope Francis’ funeral and burial, and to start the process of electing his successor.
Their first step will be to decide when the Pope’s body can be moved into St Peter’s Basilica for public viewing, possibly as early as Wednesday.
According to the rules Francis himself introduced, the funeral must take place between Friday and Sunday, with burial at the Basilica of St Mary Major, where he frequently prayed after foreign visits.
Francis died in his residence at the Domus Santa Marta, and a private viewing was held there on Tuesday for Vatican officials.
His coffin will later lie in St Peter’s Basilica without elevation, in keeping with his preference for simplicity, before the cardinals begin nine days of mourning followed by the conclave.
Grief and tributes poured in from around the world following the death of Pope Francis, who died at the age of 88. The pontiff died from a stroke just a day after delivering an Easter blessing in St Peter’s Square.
Sir Keir Starmer described him as “a moral leader of great courage,” praising his efforts to tackle inequality and bridge divides across faiths and communities.
US President Donald Trump, despite past clashes with the pontiff, called him “a compassionate leader” and ordered flags across the US to be flown at half-staff, confirming he and the First Lady would attend the funeral.
The Vatican has yet to confirm a funeral date, but preparations are underway for the conclave that will elect his successor.
Daily Express
