The Vatican released the first images of Pope Francis lying-in-state on Tuesday morning.
The images, taken on Monday evening, show the Pope in a white mitre and red chasuble, holding a rosary. He is flanked by two Swiss Guards in the chapel of Casa Santa Marta, where he had lived for the past twelve years, having never taken residence in the Apostolic Palace of the Vatican.
Cardinals, members of the Curia, and Vatican staff can pay their respects in the chapel. Later this week, likely as soon as Wednesday, the body will be moved to St. Peter’s Basilica, where the public will be able to offer their final farewells.
The College of Cardinals convened at 09:00 to decide when Pope Francis’s body will be transferred to the basilica. They also determine the date of the funeral, which according to Vatican rules, should occur between the fourth and sixth days after the Pope’s passing — potentially Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.
However, Friday is Italy’s Liberation Day, a national holiday. Vatican sources have informed Italian media that the funeral will most likely take place on Saturday.
The Pope expressed a wish to be buried in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.
While most Popes are traditionally interred in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, Santa Maria Maggiore is known to be the resting place of seven Popes, with the last being Clement IX in 1669.
