Vatican officials released the first images of Pope Francis's body, dressed in red chasuble with a rosary in his hands, beginning a carefully orchestrated period of mourning. Cardinals gathered for their first congregation, setting the funeral for Saturday at 10 AM in St. Peter's Square, with burial at Santa Maria Maggiore following the Pope's wishes for a simple grave marked only "Franciscus."
The Italian government declared five days of national mourning, with debate emerging about how to handle scheduled April 25 Liberation Day celebrations. President Mattarella visited Santa Marta to pay respects.
Vatican sources revealed the Pope's final words to his nurse on Sunday: "Thank you for bringing me to the square," followed by a hand wave goodbye. Public viewing of the body will begin Wednesday in St. Peter's Basilica, remaining open until midnight the first day, with authorities preparing for an estimated 200,000 mourners by Saturday.