In silence filled with gravity, reverence, and feeling, the Vatican released moving pictures of Pope Francis in repose, giving the world a glimpse of intimacy with one of the most cherished religious heads of heart for over 80 years.
The photographs taken in the peace filled chapel of Casa Santa Marta – the papal residence where Francis died on Monday at age 88 – reveals the Pope’s body in an open coffin, spooned in a crimson robe and a papal mitre sitting on his head. His hands, as if frozen tenderly holding a rosary signifying years of devotion and service, rest mired in prayers eternally and servic.
Such rare and respectful images, coupled with the news of his death, send waves of shock throughout the globe, as these photographs provide vivid reminders of his remarkable humility, kindness, and unwavering devotion, serving as a testament of his life through his pictures.
Pope Francis was more than a spiritual leader for many people; he was an empathetic figure, supporter of the less fortunate, and a unifier in periods of conflict. Currently as the Vatican gets ready for days of tribute and mourning, this is Pope Francis’s last appreciation as a man who guided his people till the very end.