AP PHOTOS: First images of Pope Francis released

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Pope Francis’s body is laid out in state inside his private chapel at the Vatican, Monday, April 21, 2025. (Vatican Media via AP, HO)

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Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, left, prays in front of the body of Pope Francis laid out in state inside his private chapel at the Vatican, Monday, April 21, 2025. (Vatican Media via AP, HO)

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Cardinal Camerlengo Kevin Joseph Farrell seals the door to the papal bedroom and studio at the Vatican after the announcement of the death of Pope Francis, Monday, April 21, 2025. (Vatican Media via AP, HO)

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Pope Francis’s body is laid out in state inside his private chapel at the Vatican, Monday, April 21, 2025. From left, Dean Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, unidentified bishop, Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, Master of Ceremonies Archbishop Diego Giovanni Ravelli, Cardinal Camerlengo Kevin Joseph Farrell, and Master of Ceremonies Lubomir Welnitz. (Vatican Media via AP, HO)Read More

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Cardinal Camerlengo Kevin Joseph Farrell, center, flanked by Master of Ceremonies Archbishop Diego Giovanni Ravelli, left, and Master of Ceremonies Lubomir Welnitz, right, performes the ceremonial aspersion of the body of Pope Francis with holy water as part of the final rites inside his private chapel at the Vatican, Monday, April 21, 2025. (Vatican Media via AP, HO)Read More

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Pope Francis’s body is laid out in state inside his private chapel at the Vatican, Monday, April 21, 2025. (Vatican Media via AP, HO)

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Pope Francis’s body is laid out in state inside his private chapel at the Vatican, Monday, April 21, 2025. From left front row, Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, Dean Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, unidentified person, Master of Ceremonies Archbishop Diego Giovanni Ravelli, Cardinal Camerlengo Kevin Joseph Farrell, and Master of Ceremonies Lubomir Welnitz. (Vatican Media via AP, HO)Read MoreUpdated 1:23 AM MST, April 22, 2025Share

VATICAN CITY (AP) — The Vatican releases first images of Pope Francis, showing him in his casket with the Vatican secretary of state praying over him.

This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.

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