Pope Francis Death | Pontiff's will reveals his choice of humble resting place - St. Mary Major Basilica

Pope Francis died from a stroke and irreversible heart failure, according to a death certificate released on Monday (Apr 21) by Vatican doctor Andrea Arcangeli for the 88-year-old pontiff.

The certificate published by the Vatican states that the pope fell into a coma before his death early on Monday.

Pope Francis stated in his will that he wishes to be buried in a simple underground tomb at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome, rather than at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, as many of his predecessors have chosen. 

In his final testament, released by the Vatican, he specified that his burial should be "in the ground, without particular decoration," only featuring the inscription of his papal name in Latin: Franciscus.

The Vatican has announced that the pope's body will be moved to St Peter's Basilica on Wednesday (Apr 23).

According to reports, Vatican City has initiated a Rosary prayer in St. Peter’s Square for its first public commemoration following the death of Pope Francis. Hundreds have gathered to engage in prayer.

Hundreds of Catholics attended a mass commemorating the late Pope Francis on Monday (April 21) at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.

The historic cathedral temporarily suspended visits and tours to accommodate the mass and a prayer vigil that is set to last until midnight.

Earlier that day, the cathedral's bells tolled 88 times, symbolically representing each year of the Pope's life.

India announces three day state mourning as a mark of respect on the passing away of the Pope National flag to be at half-mast.

Brazil's leftist president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, hailed the late Pope Francis on Monday for his work on climate change and social justice.

"With his simplicity, his courage and empathy, Francis brought the topic of climate change to the Vatican," Lula said. "The pope vigorously criticized the economic models that have brought so much injustice to humanity."

Pope Francis died at home in his apartment at the Saint Martha residence in the Vatican, the Holy See's press service said on Monday.

His cause of death will "probably" be shared with the public on Monday night following the official declaration of his death, scheduled for 8:00 pm (1800 GMT), the press service added.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres paid tribute to Pope Francis, who died on Monday aged 88, hailing his historic influence as a voice for peace and human dignity.

"I join the world in mourning the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, a messenger of hope, humility and humanity," he said in a statement.

DR Congo President Felix Tshisekedi paid tribute to Pope Francis, who died on Monday aged 88, saluting his "unwavering commitment to peace".

The leader of the largest Catholic country in Africa described Francis as a "great servant of God, whose life was a vibrant testimony of faith, humility, and unwavering commitment to peace, justice, and human dignity".

The Vatican said Monday that Pope Francis's body could be transferred to St Peter's Basilica Wednesday to lie in state.

"The transfer of the body of the Holy Father to the Vatican Basilica for the homage of all the faithful could take place on Wednesday morning," the Vatican said in a brief statement, saying more information would come Tuesday.

Argentina's President Javier Milei will decree seven days of national mourning after the death of Pope Francis, his spokesman said Monday.

"The President of the Nation will decree seven days of mourning for the death of the Holy Father," Manuel Adorni wrote on X. Milei paid tribute earlier Monday to Pope Francis's "wisdom" despite their "differences."

Spain's King Felipe VI hailed Pope Francis for his "conviction of the need to bring encouragement and solace to the poorest" after the Argentine pontiff died on Monday aged 88.

"His conviction of the need to bring encouragement and solace to the poorest and neediest will always continue to inspire us," Felipe wrote in a telegram to the dean of the College of Cardinals, Giovanni Battista Re.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Monday called the passing of Pope Francis a "great loss," saying it was a "great honour and privilege" to have known him. 

"A humanist who opted for the poor, peace and equality. He leaves a great legacy of true love for his neighbour. For Catholics and non-Catholics alike, it is a great loss," Sheinbaum wrote on X. 

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro mourned Monday the passing of Pope Francis, hailing his work to battle inequalities in a statement released by the foreign ministry.

"Pope Francis was a transformative spiritual leader, whose clear and courageous voice denounced the inequalities of the dominant system and called for building a more humane, fairer and deeply supportive world," the statement read.

US President Donald Trump paid his respects Monday to Pope Francis, writing "Rest in Peace" in a short post on his Truth Social platform. 

"Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him!" Trump said. 

Egypt's Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Sunni Islam's prestigious seat of learning, said Monday that Pope Francis will be remembered for his championing of interfaith dialogue.

Following the pope's death, Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb, calling Francis "his brother," said he had "strengthened relations with Al-Azhar and the Islamic world, through his visits to numerous Islamic and Arab countries, and through his views demonstrating fairness and humanity, particularly regarding the aggression on Gaza and combating abhorrent Islamophobia".

Tibet's spiritual leader the Dalai Lama praised Pope Francis on Monday, offering Buddhist prayers and writing to the papal envoy to "express his sadness" at his death.

"Pope Francis dedicated himself to the service of others... consistently revealing by his own actions how to live a simple, but meaningful life," the Buddhist leader said in a statement from his base in exile in India.

"The best tribute we can pay to him is to be a warm-hearted person, serving others wherever and in whatever way we can".

Former US president Joe Biden paid tribute on Monday to late Pope Francis, saying he was "unlike any who came before him" and hailing his record of fighting for peace and equity.

"Pope Francis will be remembered as one of the most consequential leaders of our time and I am better for having known him," Biden, a staunch Catholic, wrote on X alongside a picture of him and the Pope. 

South Korea's acting President Han Duck-soo paid tribute to the late Pope Francis on Monday, describing his life's work as one "of love and solidarity" for all people.

"Through his teaching that 'we are all brothers and sisters,' the Holy Father delivered a message of love and solidarity to humanity," Han said in a letter of condolence shared on X.

East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta mourned the death of Pope Francis on Monday, hailing the Catholic leader's "very brave" fight for peace and support of the world's poorest people.

"Not only the Catholics of East Timor but all religions and all communities feel the loss of the pope... a pope who was very brave to fight against the world's powers and fight for peace, and fight against people who cornered the poor and poor countries," the leader of the Catholic-majority nation said in a video statement.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday hailed Pope Francis for his efforts to further dialogue between different faiths after the Argentine pontiff died at the age of 88.

"A respected statesman, Pope Francis was a spiritual leader who placed great importance on dialogue between different faith groups," he wrote on X, saying he was also someone who took "initiative in the face of humanitarian tragedies, especially the Palestinian issue".

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa paid tribute on Monday to the late Pope Francis's "extraordinary life story" and praised his efforts to promote inclusion. 

The 88-year-old Argentine pontiff "advanced a world view of inclusion, equality and care for marginalised individuals and groups, as well as responsible and sustainable custody of the natural environment", Ramaphosa said in a statement. 

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu on Monday mourned the passing of Pope Francis, whom he called a "tireless champion of the poor" and the world's "most trenchant voice" against climate change.

"Today, with a heavy heart, I join the Catholic faithful and Christians worldwide in mourning the passing of Pope Francis," Tinubu said in a statement. "Alas, the Lord called him home... making the world lose its most trenchant voice for justice and action against climate change."

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos joined the global outpouring of grief over the death of Pope Francis on Monday, calling him a man of "profound faith and humility".

"Pope Francis led not only with wisdom but with a heart open to all, especially the poor and forgotten," said Marcos, who leads Asia's bastion of Catholicism. "It is a profoundly sad day," he said on his Facebook page.

Pope Francis's body will be laid in a coffin in the chapel at the Saint Martha residence where he lived at 8:00 pm (1800 GMT) on Monday, the Vatican said.

"Tonight, Monday April 21 at 8:00 pm (1800 GMT), His Eminence the Most Reverend Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, will preside over the rite of certification of death and the laying of the body in the coffin," the Holy See said in a statement.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday  mourned the death of Pope Francis, saying the Catholic leader had "prayed for peace in Ukraine and for Ukrainians."

"We grieve together with Catholics and all Christians," Zelensky wrote on social media.

Millions of people around the world are mourning the tragic news of Pope Francis’s passing. His life was devoted to God, to people, and to the Church.

He knew how to give hope, ease suffering through prayer, and foster unity. He prayed for peace in Ukraine and for Ukrainians. We… pic.twitter.com/Ww6NtsbWWS

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 21, 2025

Spain will observe three days of mourning to honour Pope Francis after the Argentine pontiff's death on Monday aged 88, Justice Minister Felix Bolanos said in a televised address.

"We regret the death of a good man and a great pope. Therefore, the government of Spain will declare three days of official mourning," Bolanos said, praising Francis's "reformist" 12-year papacy that "will leave a legacy for history".

Argentine President Javier Milei paid tribute Monday to Pope Francis's "wisdom" despite the pair's "differences", following the pontiff's death aged 88.

"In spite of differences that today seem minor, to have known him in his goodness and wisdom was a true honor for me," Milei posted on X.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Monday said "Thank you for everything, Holy Father. We bid you farewell", in a short Facebook post following Pope Francis's death. 

The nationalist premier accompanied his message with a photo of one of his meetings with Francis, who praised the Church's renewal in Hungary while urging Europe to take in more migrants. 

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Pope Francis's leadership was "courageous" and the pope, who died aged 88 on Monday, "never lost hope of a better world".

"His leadership in a complex and challenging time for the world and the church was courageous, yet always came from a place of deep humility," Starmer said in a statement, with flags set to fly at half-mast on UK government buildings for a day in his honour.

The chair of the African Union paid tribute to a "towering moral voice of our time and a steadfast advocate for peace, justice, compassion, and human dignity" following the death of Pope Francis on Monday.

Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, chairman of the African Union, in a statement praised "the Pope's courageous engagement with the African continent, amplifying the voices of the voiceless, championing peace and reconciliation, and standing in solidarity with those affected by conflict and poverty".

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday hailed the late Pope Francis as a "defender" of "humanism and justice", and praised his efforts to promote dialogue between the Orthodox and Catholic churches.

Putin praised "wise" Pope Francis who died Monday as a "consistent defender of the high values of humanism and justice," in a letter to the Vatican published by the Kremlin, adding he had "actively promoted dialogue between the Russian Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches."

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said on Monday she was "deeply saddened" by Pope Francis's death. 

"He was a global voice for unity, justice, and human dignity. His wisdom and humility touched lives far beyond faith," Lagarde wrote on X.

King Charles released a statement following Pope Francis's death, just weeks after their notable private meeting in Italy.

"My wife and I were most deeply saddened to learn of the death of Pope Francis.

"Our heavy hearts have been somewhat eased, however, to know that His Holiness was able to share an Easter Greeting with the Church and the world he served with such devotion throughout his life and ministry.

"His Holiness will be remembered for his compassion, his concern for the unity of the Church and for his tireless commitment to the common causes of all people of faith, and to those of goodwill who work for the benefit of others. His belief that care for Creation is an existential expression of faith in God resounded with so many across the world.

"Through his work and care for both people and planet, he profoundly touched the lives of so many.

"The Queen and I remember with particular affection our meetings with His Holiness over the years and we were greatly moved to have been able to visit him earlier in the month.

"We send our most heartfelt condolences and profound sympathy to the Church he served with such resolve and to the countless people around the world who, inspired by his life, will be mourning the devastating loss of this faithful follower of Jesus Christ."

The King signed the message: "Charles R."

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas paid tribute to Pope Francis, who died Monday at 88, calling him a "faithful friend of the Palestinian people," the official Palestinian news agency Wafa reported.

"Today, we lost a faithful friend of the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights," Abbas said, noting that Pope Francis "recognised the Palestinian state and authorised the Palestinian flag to be raised in the Vatican." 

Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Monday paid tribute to Pope Francis, calling the late pontiff a "good, warm and sensitive man".

"Pope Francis has died. A good, warm and sensitive man. May he rest in peace," Tusk wrote on X.

The Church of England's most senior cleric hailed Pope Francis's "desire to lead and build the church in new ways" after the head of the Catholic Church died on Monday.

Hailing the deceased pope's "service of the poor", Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell said Pope Francis was "acutely aware of the divisions between our churches and how they stand in the way of seeing Jesus Christ more fully".

Lebanon's Christian President Joseph Aoun mourned the death on Monday of Pope Francis, a "dear friend and strong supporter" of the crisis-hit multi-confessional country. 

"We will never forget his repeated calls to protect Lebanon and preserve its identity and diversity," Aoun -- the Arab world's only Christian president -- said in a statement on the presidency's X account, calling Francis's death "a loss for all humanity, for he was a powerful voice for justice and peace" who called for "dialogue between religions and cultures".

The Eiffel Tower's landmark illuminations will be switched off on Monday night in memory of Pope Francis who died aged 88, Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo said.

City hall was planning to name a site in the French capital after Francis who, she said, had placed "ecology at the centre of spiritual concerns" and had argued in favour of "welcoming refugees".

Kenya's President William Ruto said the death of Pope Francis on Monday was "a big loss to the Catholic faithful and the Christian world".

"He exemplified servant leadership through his humility, his unwavering commitment to inclusivity and justice, and his deep compassion for the poor and the vulnerable," Ruto wrote on X.  

"His strong ethical and moral convictions inspired millions across the world, regardless of faith or background," he added.

We join the Catholic Church and the global Christian community in mourning the passing of Pope Francis.

This is a big loss to the Catholic faithful and the Christian world. Pope Francis will be remembered for a life dedicated to serving the Lord, the Church, and humanity.

He… pic.twitter.com/YmMLL90ccw

— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) April 21, 2025

The White House on Monday expressed its condolences after the death aged 88 of Pope Francis.

"Rest in Peace, Pope Francis," the US presidency wrote on X, accompanied by photos of the pontiff meeting President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance on separate occasions.

Rest in Peace, Pope Francis. ✝️ pic.twitter.com/8CGwKaNnTh

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 21, 2025

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed sent his "deepest condolences" after the death of Pope Francis on Monday. 

"May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may his legacy of compassion, humility, and service to humanity continue to inspire generations to come," Abiy wrote in a post on X. 

I extend my deepest condolences on the passing of Pope Francis @Pontifex. May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may his legacy of compassion, humility, and service to humanity continue to inspire generations to come. pic.twitter.com/TBQQ9kT0NG

— Abiy Ahmed Ali 🇪🇹 (@AbiyAhmedAli) April 21, 2025

The bells at Paris's Notre-Dame cathedral rang out 88 times on Monday in honour of Pope Francis, who died aged 88, according to news agency AFP.

The "88 rings for 88 years of life" were to be followed by a full ringing of the cathedral's bells before a noon mass in Francis's honour, followed by another in early evening, according to the Notre-Dame press office.

Irish Prime Minister Michael Martin hailed Pope Francis's solidarity with the "poor, the marginalised, and the oppressed"  after the pope died on Monday.

"Pope Francis' long and distinguished papacy was marked by his unwavering commitment to the principles of compassion, peace and human dignity" said Martin, adding that he would be remembered for his "expression of pain and shame" about historic child abuses in the Catholic Church during his 2018 visit to Ireland.

US Vice President JD Vance, who met Pope Francis on Sunday (Apr 20), a day before his passing, said that he was "happy to see him", however he was "obviously very ill".

"I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis. My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him. I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill. But I’ll always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days of COVID. It was really quite beautiful. May God rest his soul," he wrote in a post on X.

I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis. My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him.

I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill. But I’ll always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days…

— JD Vance (@JDVance) April 21, 2025

The death of Pope Francis on Monday "is a profound loss for the entire world, as as he was a voice of peace, love and compassion," Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said.

Extending his condolences, Sisi said the late Catholic leader was an exceptional global figure who "worked tirelessly to promote tolerance and build bridges of dialogue ... and was a champion of the Palestinian cause, defending legitimate rights and calling for an end to conflict".

A mass for Pope Francis will be held on Wednesday morning at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said. 

In a WhatsApp message, the Patriarchate announced a "mass at the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre" on Wednesday at 1230 GMT "presided over by His Beatitude Cardinal Pizzaballa and members of the Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries". 

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "Deeply pained by the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. In this hour of grief and remembrance, my heartfelt condolences to the global Catholic community. Pope Francis will always be remembered as a beacon of compassion, humility and spiritual courage by millions across the world. From a young age, he devoted himself towards realising the ideals of Lord Christ. He diligently served the poor and downtrodden. For those who were suffering, he ignited a spirit of hope."

"I fondly recall my meetings with him and was greatly inspired by his commitment to inclusive and all-round development. His affection for the people of India will always be cherished. May his soul find eternal peace in God’s embrace," he added.

Deeply pained by the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. In this hour of grief and remembrance, my heartfelt condolences to the global Catholic community. Pope Francis will always be remembered as a beacon of compassion, humility and spiritual courage by millions across the… pic.twitter.com/QKod5yTXrB

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 21, 2025

Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said "a great man has left us" after Pope Francis died on Monday.

"Pope Francis has returned to the Father's home. It is deeply sad news, because a great man has left us," Meloni said in a statement.