Pope Francis died at the age of 88 on Easter Monday, April 21. The Vatican confirmed that the first stage of the papal funeral rites, known as the “rite of the ascertainment of death and deposition in the coffin,” was carried out the same evening at 8 p.m. local time in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta, where the late pontiff had resided throughout his papacy.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the camerlengo, presided over the solemn rite, which took place just over 12 hours after Pope's death. In keeping with Vatican tradition, Cardinal Farrell was joined by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, and Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, his deputy, in closing and sealing the papal apartment in the Apostolic Palace, despite Pope Francis' decision not to live there during his tenure.

The rite was attended by some members of Pope Francis’ family, key Vatican officials, and Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the dean of the College of Cardinals. During the ceremony, Vatican Health Services Director Dr. Andrea Arcangeli read the official death certificate, which recorded the cause of death as a stroke, coma, and irreversible cardiovascular collapse. Dr. Arcangeli also arranged for the body’s preservation to ensure it could be presented for public veneration with dignity.

Following the rite, Pope’s body, dressed in a white cassock, was moved to the private chapel in Casa Santa Marta. There, it was later vested in red liturgical garments with the miter and pallium, and placed in a simple wooden coffin with a zinc lining. A paschal candle was lit beside the casket, and the body was sprinkled with holy water in accordance with the rite’s protocol.

The remains of Pope Francis will lie in the chapel for visitation and prayer before being transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica. Cardinal Mauro Gambetti led a rosary for the late pontiff in St. Peter’s Square on the evening of April 21.

The Holy See Press Office announced that Pope Francis’ body may be moved to St. Peter’s Basilica for public exposition on the morning of April 23, with final confirmation expected on April 22. Meanwhile, the College of Cardinals will begin meetings on April 22 to oversee the Vatican's operations during the sede vacante—the period when the Holy See is without a pope—and to determine the date and time of the funeral and burial.