Vatican releases images of Pope laying in state

One of the first official events leading up to the funeral of Pope Francis has taken place with his body laying in state.

The Vatican has released images of the late Pope Francis’ body lying in state at the Vatican.

It comes ahead of his funeral which will take place at 10am Saturday morning (6pm AEST), the Vatican has confirmed.

The pontiff died on Easter Monday.

His body currently resides in the chapel at the Santa Marta residence where he lived during his papacy.

On Wednesday, the Pope’s body will be moved to St Peter’s Basilica, the Holy See’s cathedral, where the faithful will have a chance to pay their final respects.

Images from the Vatican show the territory’s’ Swiss Guards in formation around the pope. Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin is seen praying beside the coffin.

Pope Francis died in Easter Monday. Picture: / AFP PHOTO / Andreas SOLARO

The body is dressed red and placed in a wooden coffin lined with zinc. His mitre and pallium, the traditional headdress and a strip of white wool worn like a collar, is placed next to him.

Leaders from around the globe will attend Francis’ funeral. Confirmed include Prince William, Spain’s King Felipe VI, Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni, US president Donald Trump, UK PM Kier Starmer, France’s president Emmanuel Macron and Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky, President Javier Milei of Argentina – from where the Pop was born – United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen.

Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, left, prays in front of the body of Pope Francis laid out in state inside his private chapel at the Vatican, Monday, April 21, 2025. (Vatican Media via AP, HO)

The roasary in Pope Francis’ hands. (Vatican Media via AP, HO)

According to the Holy See’s official media outlet, Vatican News, Francis started feeling ill Monday at around 5.30am, less than 24 hours after he greeted a crowd of faithful in St Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday.

Before falling into a coma, he waved to his personal nurse Massimiliano Strappetti from his bed, in what Vatican News described as “a gesture of farewell”.

On Sunday, he had thanked Strappetti for encouraging him to take what would become his last tour of St Peter’s Square in his popemobile.

“Thank you for bringing me back to the square,” Francis was quoted as saying. He was pronounced dead at 7.35am on Monday.

Pope Francis's body is laid out in state inside his private chapel at the Vatican, Monday, April 21, 2025. (Vatican Media via AP, HO)

“He did not suffer. It all happened quickly,” Vatican News said, citing people who were with the pontiff in his final moments.

Pope Francis, as per his will, asked to be buried in a simple, unadorned tomb inside the Santa Maria Maggiore.

– with AFP.