The body of Pope Francis has been laid out in an open coffin at the Vatican. Grief and tributes for Pope Francis were shared around the world Tuesday, a day after the popular pontiff died at age 88.

Cardinals will meet at the Vatican on Tuesday to begin scheduling Pope Francis’ funeral and burial, planning the conclave to elect his successor and making other decisions about running the Catholic Church.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who announced the death on Monday, can be seen blessing Pope Francis.

Traditionally, a papal funeral is an elaborate event, yet Francis asked for a number of ceremonial elements to be set aside and approved changes to simplify the procedure. He will be buried in a plain wooden coffin lined with zinc, unlike the previous three nested coffins made of cypress, lead, and oak.

Pope Francis’ body will also not be raised on a catafalque in St Peter's Basilica - a historic tradition allowing for mourners to view. Instead, they will be able to pay their respects while Pope Francis is in the coffin with the lid removed.

Yesterday, the Vatican revealed the cause of death to be a stroke and heart failure. Doctors at the Gemelli hospital, where the pope was treated between February and March, said: "The Pope died peacefully". He was admitted to hospital on February 14, after being initially diagnosed with bronchitis. It later emerged that Pope Francis, whose real name was Jorge Maria Bergoglio, was suffering from dual pneumonia.

Despite his lengthy battle with ill-health, Pope Francis carried out his duties until his death, including making a public appearance on Easter Sunday from the balcony of Saint Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.

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