Pope Francis did not fear death, but instead welcomed the ‘new beginning’ of eternal life with God, he revealed in an essay written just two months ago.

Francis, who died yesterday aged 88, had reflected on death on February 7 this year as he penned a preface for Cardinal Angelo Scola’s new book, titled ‘Awaiting a New Beginning. Reflections on Old Age’.

‘Death is not the end of everything, but the beginning of something,’ the pontiff wrote in the preface, which released by the Vatican today.

The Holy Father wrote that ‘we must not be afraid of old age’ and ‘must not fear embracing becoming old’, but instead strive to live life on earth with ‘grace and not with resentment’.

‘It is a new beginning,’ Francis said of death. ‘Because eternal life, which those who love already begin to experience on earth within the daily tasks of life – is beginning something that will never end.

‘And it is precisely for this reason that it is a “new” beginning, because we will live something we have never fully lived before: eternity.’

Francis died yesterday morning after suffering a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure. He had been recovering in his apartment after being hospitalised for five weeks with pneumonia.

He made his last public appearance on Sunday, delivering an Easter blessing and making what would be his final greeting to followers from his popemobile, looping around St. Peter’s Square.

The Vatican released the first photos of the late pontiff this morning showing him being laid out in his open coffin for the Confirmation of the Death of the Pontiff ceremony last night.

Around 60 cardinals participated in the first meeting of the Congregation of Cardinals today, which decided that Francis’ funeral will be held on Saturday morning. His body will be on public display from tomorrow for mourners to pay their respects.