Pope Francis dies at 88, requests simple funeral

Pope Francis, who passed away at age 88 on Monday, April 21, had previously requested simplifications to traditional funeral rites and opted for a more modest burial ceremony.

Following his death, the Camerlengo confirmed it through medical verification, marking the beginning of 'Sede Vacante' with restricted major decisions in Vatican affairs until a new pope is elected.

Pope Francis's residence was sealed by the Camerlengo to secure personal belongings and documents, while his Fisherman’s Ring and papal seal were destroyed to prevent misuse.

Francis requested to be buried in a simple wooden casket lined with zinc at Rome's St. Mary Major Basilica instead of being interred beneath St. Peter's Basilica grottoes as previous popes had been.

The Camerlengo notified the Archpriest of the Vatican Basilica and Cardinal Vicar of Rome, who announced Francis’s death to the city and world leaders.