Catholic Church: Vatican shows pictures of the dead Pope

The body of the late Pope Francis is now in state in the chapel of his Santa Marta residence in the Vatican . Cardinals, members of the Curia, and Vatican employees can pay their respects at the open coffin.

As images released by the Vatican show, the coffin stands in front of the altar in the chapel. The dead pope wears a red robe and a white bishop's miter. A rosary is clasped around his clasped hands. A member of the Swiss Guard stands guard on either side.

The images were taken Monday evening during a ceremony in which Kevin Farrell, the church's treasurer, officially declared his death. The Vatican subsequently publicly announced the cause of death: stroke and irreversible heart failure.

Francis lived in Santa Marta during his pontificate. He died there on Monday morning. Later, his body was moved from his apartment to the chapel, and the papal apartments in Santa Marta and the Apostolic Palace were sealed. These seals may only be broken by the newly elected pope.

Santa Marta is officially called "Domus Sanctae Marthae" (Latin for "House of Saint Martha"). This is the Vatican's guest house. After the conclave that elected him in 2013, Francis decided to remain there, rather than in the Apostolic Palace like his predecessors. He often celebrated early morning Mass at the altar of the house chapel, before which his body now lies in state.

Later this week, presumably on Wednesday, the body will be transferred to St. Peter's Basilica, where believers from around the world will be able to pay their respects at the open coffin. The exact date will be determined this Tuesday by a college of cardinals .

This committee will also determine the date of the funeral. This usually takes place four to six days after the death, with Saturday being discussed for the memorial service. State guests from all over the world are expected to attend.

Francis will not be buried in the Vatican, but in the Roman Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, near Termini Station. This church, one of the four main papal churches in Rome, was important to Pope Francis ; he prayed there, for example, before and after his trips abroad.