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 43 minutes ago

Vatican releases Pope Francis’ will

The Vatican released Pope Francis’ will, which notes his desire to be buried in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major.

"The tomb must be in the earth; simple, without particular decoration and with the only inscription: Franciscus," he said.

Devotees attend a Rosary in homage to Pope Francis following his death in Saint Peter's Square, the Vatican, April 21, 2025.

Alberto Pizzoli/AFP via Getty Images

47 minutes ago

Pope Francis' death certificate released

Pope Francis’ death certificate, released by the Vatican, said he died in his apartment at 7:35 a.m. from cerebral stroke, coma and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse.

Cerebral stroke means there was a loss of blood flow to the brain. An irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse indicates he had a sudden failure of the heart to maintain blood flow throughout the body.

He was also affected by "previous episode of acute respiratory failure in bilateral multimicrobial pneumonia, multiple bronchiectasis, arterial hypertension and type II diabetes," according to the death certificate.

1 hour ago

Rosary prayer service underway in St. Peter’s Square

A rosary prayer service is underway in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City.

Ahead of the first reading, Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, archpriest of Saint Peter's Basilica, read an introduction. He noted how Pope Francis asked people to pray for him so many times, and now, "we want to pray for him."

Faithful wait for a rosary prayer for the late Pope Francis, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, April 21, 2025.

Alessandra Tarantino/AP