The Vatican has released photographs of Pope Francis in his open casket, a day after the pontiff died.
Pope Francis died aged 88 at 7.35AM on Easter Monday, just hours after he'd made his final public appearance on Easter Sunday.
The Pope had appeared on a balcony over the entrance of St Peter's Basilica in his wheelchair, where he blessed the thousands gathered to celebrate Easter Sunday, before being driven through the crowds in the popemobile through St Peter's Square, as onlookers cheered and chanted "Viva il Papa" - meaning long live the Pope.
News of his death was announced by Cardinal Farrell in a statement shared by the Vatican on Monday morning.
He said: "Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis.
"At 7.35am this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church.
"He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage and universal love, especially in favour of the poorest and most marginalised.
"With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God."
The Vatican has now released photos of the Pope in his open casket, lying in the chapel of the Santa Marta residence where he lived, before the casket is later taken to St Peter's Basilica for public viewing.
As per tradition, the camerlengo - the interim head of the church - and three assistants will make sure the pope's "Fisherman's Ring" and his lead seal are broken so they cannot be used by anyone else.
Mourning is set to last nine days after the Pope's funeral, with the cardinals - senior figures in the Catholic clergy - having met at the Vatican to discuss funeral plans.
The cardinals confirmed that Pope Francis's funeral is set to take place on Saturday, April 26, in front of St Peter's Basilica.
The funeral will begin at 9AM UK time and will be led by Giovanni Battista Re, the dean of the College of Cardinals, officially beginning the first of nine days of mourning.
Once the mourning period is over, the process to choose a new pope - known as conclave - will begin from May 5.
Pope Francis had recently shared his outlook on death, writing the introduction of Cardinal Angelo Scola's book - called 'Nell'attesa di un nuovo inizio. Riflessioni sulla vecchiaia', or 'Waiting for a new beginning. Reflections on old age', which was due to be published today.
He wrote: "Death is not the end of everything, but the beginning of something. It is a new beginning, as the title wisely highlights, because eternal life, which those who love already experience on earth in the occupations of every day, is starting something that will not end.
"And it is precisely for this reason that it is a 'new' beginning, because we will experience something that we have never fully experienced: eternity."
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in 1936, Francis was the first Pope from South America and served as a bishop in Buenos Aires before becoming the 266th Pope in 2013, after his predecessor Benedict XVI became the first pontiff in over 600 years to resign.
It has been reported that Pope Francis's funeral will break tradition, with BBC News stating that while past popes were buried in three nested coffins - cypress, lead, and oak - Francis chose simplicity. He will be laid to rest in a modest wooden coffin lined with zinc.
He also scrapped the public viewing platform known as the catafalque. Instead, mourners will pay respects while his body lies in an open coffin with the lid removed.
And in another historic move, Francis will be the first pope in more than a century to be buried outside the Vatican.
His final resting place will be the Basilica of St Mary Major, one of Rome’s four major papal basilicas.
Pope Francis's health had been declining over recent years as he battled complications from bronchitis, pneumonia, sciatica, and the flu.
On February 14, he was admitted to the hospital with bronchitis and later diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia.
Tests revealed low blood platelet levels, associated with anemia, and on February 22, the Vatican described his condition as “critical” after a “prolonged respiratory crisis” required high-flow oxygen. The next day, the Pope developed “initial, mild” kidney failure.
He remained hospitalized for 38 days. Doctors described his condition as “complex” and, at times, life-threatening.
On March 23, Francis was released from the hospital and made a brief appearance on the balcony at Gemelli hospital, giving a thumbs up before returning to the Vatican to begin a prescribed two-month recovery.
Pope Francis's cause of death was confirmed by Vatican doctors, who said he had slipped into a coma following a severe cerebral stroke, which then led to irreversible heart failure, The Sun reports.