The Vatican has released photos of Pope Francis in his open coffin, dressed in a red robe with the papal mitre on his head and a rosary in his hand. The pictures were taken in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta, Francis's residence at the Vatican.

Francis broke from tradition and asked for a "simple" burial in Rome's Basilica of Saint Mary Major instead of St. Peter's Basilica.

The cardinals met Tuesday in the Vatican's synod hall to chart the next steps before a conclave begins to choose Francis' successor.