Cardinal Camerlengo Kevin Farrell, a native of Dublin, officially ascertained the death of Pope Francis on Monday evening, April 21.
As Camerlengo, Farrell presided over the rite of ascertainment of death and placement of the late Pope Francis’ body in the coffin at 8 pm last night in a ceremony that lasted just under an hour.
The ceremony took place in the chapel of the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta.
Those present included the Dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, and family members of the late Pope Francis, along with Dr. Andrea Arcangeli and Dr. Luigi Carbone, the Director and Deputy Director of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene, respectively.
Following the rite, Dr. Andrea Arcangeli confirmed that the Pope died after suffering a stroke, which led to a coma and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse.
Also on Monday evening, Farrell joined Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra to seal the doors of the papal apartment in the Apostolic Palace and the door to the apartment of the Casa Santa Marta, where the late Pope Francis lived.
Earlier on Monday, Farrell formally announced the death of Pope Francis with "deep sorrow."
"At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father," Farrell said on Monday morning.
"His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized.
"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."
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