His Holiness Francis (Jorge Mario Bergoglio) was born in Buenos Aires (Argentina) on December 17, 1936 and was introduced as the 266th Pope on March 13, 2013.

He made his last public appearance on Easter Sunday to bless thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square.

Pope Francis was admitted to the hospital on February 14 after suffering from bronchitis for several days and was later diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia. He spent 38 days in the hospital and then returned to his Vatican residence.

His cause of death was listed as stroke, coma and irreversible cardiovascular collapse.

The rite of the certification of death and placement in the coffin took place Monday evening where the declaration of death was read aloud and validated.

Seals were placed on the papal apartment at the Apostolic Palace and on the apartment where the Pope resided at the Casa Santa Marta.

The late Pope Francis requested that his funeral rites be simplified and focused on expressing the faith of the Church in the Risen Body of Christ. In April 2024, he approved an updated edition of the liturgical book for papal funeral rites.

Diocese of Lafayette Bishop Douglas Deshotel released a statement mourning the passing of the Holy Father, Pope Francis on Monday and said that a special Diocesan Memorial Mass will be announced to pray for Pope Francis and reflect on his extraordinary life.

The funeral will take place on Saturday in St. Peter’s Square. In his final will, Pope Francis confirmed he would be buried at St. Mary Major basilica, which is outside the Vatican and home to his favorite icon of the Virgin Mary.

The conclave to elect a new pope by secret ballot begins in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel between 15 and 20 days after the pope’s death.