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What comes now after the death of Pope Francis? What happens after the death of Pope Francis?
(1 day later)
Pope Francis has died at the age of 88, after 12 years as spiritual leader of the Roman Catholic Church. The funeral of Pope Francis will take place on Saturday, in front of St Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.
His death has triggered a mourning period which involves centuries-old rites. Preparations have begun for the conclave, the process by which cardinals will elect the next Pope.
It has also set into motion the process for electing a new pontiff. A conclave can be expected to be held between 15 and 20 days after Francis's death. How was the death of Pope Francis announced?
This is what we can expect now. Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, died on Easter Monday aged 88.
What happens immediately after the Pope dies? The Vatican said he died following a stroke and subsequent irreversible heart failure at 07:35 local time (06:35 BST).
The official duties are carried out by the Pope's camerlengo or chamberlain, currently Irish-American Cardinal Kevin Farrell. His death was announced less than 24 hours after he led an Easter Sunday address in front of thousands of worshipers in St Peter's Square.
He is the one who officially confirms the death, with a doctor and death certificate. No autopsy is performed. Pope Francis waved to the crowds from the balcony overlooking St Peter's Square on Sunday and wished them a happy Easter - his final words in public
The Vatican said on Easter Monday, hours after announcing his death, that Francis's body would be laid in a coffin in a chapel in his personal residence at 20:00 local time (18:00 GMT). Farrell would preside over those rites, the Vatican said. It followed a period of ill-health that saw the Pope spend five weeks in hospital with double pneumonia.
It will also fall upon the camerlengo to lock and seal the Pope's home. Francis, who was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, was elected Pope in 2013.
Unlike other popes, Francis did not live in the penthouse apartment in the Apostolic Palace but instead resided in more humble quarters in the form of a two-room suite in the Vatican's Saint Martha guesthouse. Read more:
Farrell also has the responsibility to destroy the Pope's ring and lead seal, which is used to authenticate official documents, so they cannot be used by anyone else. LIVE: Pope Francis's funeral to be held on Saturday
He and a team of three assisting cardinals will then set out the mourning schedule for Pope Francis - including the date of the funeral and burial. In pictures: Symbolism on show as Pope Francis lies in open coffin
The period of mourning rites typically lasts nine days, and church rules say those events should begin between the fourth and sixth day after the Pope's death. Who will be the next Pope? Key candidates in an unpredictable contest
Farrell and his team will also decide when the Pope's body will be moved into St Peter's Basilica before burial so the public can pay their respects. On Monday afternoon, the Vatican said this transfer could happen as early as Wednesday morning but that cardinals would decide on Tuesday. Who is in charge after the Pope dies?
LIVE UPDATES: Pope Francis dies aged 88 Pope Francis made Kevin Farrell a cardinal in 2016 and named him camerlengo in 2023
ANALYSIS: The Pope from Latin America who changed Catholic Church The person who runs the Vatican after the death or resignation of a pope is known as the "camerlengo" - currently Irish-American cardinal Kevin Farrell.
EXPLAINER: What next after the death of Pope Francis? He confirmed the Pope's death, with a doctor and death certificate. No autopsy is performed.
WATCH: The pontiff's last public appearance on Easter Sunday Cardinal Farrell also locks and seals the Pope's home, and destroys the Pope's ring and lead seal, which is used to authenticate official documents.
IN PICTURES: Defining images of the first Latin American pope The camerlengo is also responsible for organising the conclave.
What can we expect of the funeral? They can become pope, but this has only happened twice: Gioacchino Pecci (Pope Leo XIII) in 1878 and Eugenio Pacelli (Pope Pius XII) in 1939.
Pope Francis shunned much of the Church's pomp and ceremony – so in keeping with that style he requested his body not be put on a raised platform, the traditional catafalque, in the middle of St Peter's Basilica for public viewing. Read more:
Instead the faithful coming to mourn will simply be able to look upon his body inside his coffin which will have the lid removed. Who is Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the acting head of the Vatican?
His funeral, according to Church custom, should typically be held within four to six days after his death, with the funeral mass taking place in St Peter's Square. The Pope from Latin America who changed Catholic Church
Papal funerals have traditionally been elaborate affairs, but Pope Francis acted last year to simplify his arrangements. Pope Francis's life in pictures
He will be the first Pope in more than a century not to be buried in the Vatican, in the crypt of St Peter's Basilica – opting instead to be laid to rest in Rome's Basilica of St Mary Major, near his favourite icon of the Madonna. What will happen at the Pope's funeral?
Francis also requested to be buried in a simple wooden casket – unlike his predecessors who were buried in the traditional three nesting coffins made of cypress, lead and oak. The Pope's funeral will take place on Saturday, 26 April at 10:00 local time (09:00 BST).
Papal funerals have historically been very elaborate, but instructions set out by Francis are much simpler.
He will be the first Pope in more than a century not to be buried in the crypt of St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. Instead, he will be laid to rest in Rome's Basilica of St Mary Major.
Francis asked to be buried in a simple wooden casket lined with zinc - unlike his predecessors, who were buried in three nesting coffins made of cypress, lead and oak.
Dozens of world leaders and religious figures are expected to attend the funeral, alongside thousands of worshippers.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and French President Emmanuel Macron have said they will attend, as has EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
From Wednesday, the Pope's casket will be displayed in St Peter's Basilica for members of the public to pay their respects.
Read more:
How a frail Pope defied doctors' advice during hectic Easter weekend
Francis was a vocal critic of the powerful, his influence felt far beyond faith
How is a new Pope chosen?How is a new Pope chosen?
Pope Francis's death sets into motion the political process for the Church to select a new leader. The new Pope is elected by the College of Cardinals. They are all men who were appointed by the Pope and are usually ordained bishops.
Cardinals from around the world will descend on the Vatican for the election, known as a conclave. There are currently 252 Catholic cardinals, but only 135 can cast ballots as those over the age of 80 can take part in debate but cannot vote.
Traditionally, the 15-day mourning period is observed before the conclave begins. However Francis's predecessor Benedict changed the rules in 2013 to allow it to begin earlier if the cardinals wished. The vote typically takes place 15-20 days after the Pope's death. Traditionally the conclave doesn't start until after a 15-day mourning period.
The new Pope is voted on by the College of Cardinals – a group of the Church's most senior officials, who are all men, all appointed by the Pope and who are usually all ordained bishops. However, in 2013, Francis's predecessor Benedict changed the rules to allow it to begin earlier if the cardinals wished.
There are currently 252 Catholic cardinals, but only 135 are eligible to cast ballots as those over the age of 80 can take part in debate but cannot vote. Read more:
Meanwhile, between the Pope's death and the election of his successor, the College of Cardinals governs the Church. Why Pope's death leaves Argentines 'orphaned' in more ways than one
They run the day-to-day business of the church but have limited power as much of the Church's central administration stops work and typically, Vatican department heads resign from their positions until they are confirmed or replaced by the new Pope. Africa remembers Pope who spoke for the continent
How does the conclave run? How does the conclave work?
The voting cardinals are locked into a period of pontiff selection where they are cut off from communication with the outside world – denied phones, the internet and newspapers – while in discussions and lobbying among themselves to decide the Church's new leader. During the voting period, the cardinals are cut off from the outside world – denied phones and access to the internet or newspapers.
The conclave, or election, is held in strict secrecy inside the Sistine Chapel, famously painted by Michelangelo. They sleep in Casa Santa Marta, a five-story guesthouse within the Vatican complex.
A majority of two thirds plus one of the gathering is needed to agree on a new Pope, so multiple rounds of voting are often needed to get a result. After the first day, a secret ballot takes place twice a day and the process can often stretch to several days. The election is held in strict secrecy inside the Sistine Chapel, famously painted by Michelangelo.
In previous centuries, voting has gone on for weeks or months. Some cardinals have even died during conclaves. Each cardinal votes for the candidate they wish to become Pope. They can vote for themselves if they wish.
To the outside world, the only clue as to how it is progressing is the smoke that emerges from the chapel's chimney, the product of the cardinals' ballot papers being burned. A new Pope is elected when a candidate has 90 votes - which can take several rounds.
In previous centuries, conclaves have gone on for weeks or months. Some cardinals have even died during the process.
Read more:
How the next Pope is chosen
How is smoke used to announce the new Pope?
To the outside world, the only information about how the conclave is progressing is smoke from the chapel's chimney when ballot papers are burned after each round of voting.
Black smoke signals failure. White smoke means a new Pope has been chosen.Black smoke signals failure. White smoke means a new Pope has been chosen.
How is the decision about the new Pope made public? The new Pope normally appears on the balcony overlooking St Peter's Square within an hour of his selection.
After the white smoke goes up, the new Pope normally appears within an hour on the balcony overlooking St Peter's Square. The senior cardinal confirms the decision with the words "Habemus Papam" - Latin for "we have a Pope" - and introduces the new pontiff by his chosen papal name, which may not be his original given name.
The senior cardinal participating in the conclave will announce the decision with the words "Habemus Papam" - Latin for "we have a Pope". For example, Pope Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, but chose his papal name to honour St Francis of Assisi.
He will then introduce the new Pope by his chosen papal name, which may or may not be his original given name. Who can become Pope?
For example, Pope Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, but he chose a different name for his papacy in honour of St Francis of Assisi. In theory, any Roman Catholic man who has been baptised can be considered.
Who can become the Pope?
In theory, any Roman Catholic man who has been baptised can be considered for election to become Pope.
In practice, however, the cardinals prefer to select one of their own.In practice, however, the cardinals prefer to select one of their own.
In 2013, the Argentine-born Francis became the first pontiff to hail from South America - a region that accounts for around 28% of the world's Catholics - and the southern hemisphere. In 2013, Francis became the first pontiff to hail from South America - a region that accounts for around 28% of the world's Catholics - and the southern hemisphere.
Historical precedent suggests the cardinals are far more likely to pick a European - and especially an Italian. Of the 266 popes chosen to date, 217 have been from Italy.Historical precedent suggests the cardinals are far more likely to pick a European - and especially an Italian. Of the 266 popes chosen to date, 217 have been from Italy.
Several Vatican analysts have suggested it is possible Francis's successor could come from outside Europe - not least because the late Pope appointed more than 140 cardinals from beyond the continent during his tenure. Several Vatican analysts have suggested Francis's successor could come from outside Europe - not least because the late Pope appointed more than 140 cardinals from beyond the continent.
What does the Pope do?What does the Pope do?
The Pope is the head of the Catholic Church. Roman Catholics believe he represents a direct line back to Jesus Christ. He is considered a living successor to St Peter, who was chief among Christ's initial disciples, the Apostles. The Pope is the head of the Catholic Church, and is an important source of authority for the world's roughly 1.4 billion Roman Catholics.
That gives him full and unhindered power over the entire Catholic Church and makes him an important source of authority for the world's roughly 1.4 billion Catholics. They believe the Pope represents a direct line back to Jesus Christ. He is considered a living successor to St Peter, who was chief among Christ's initial disciples, the Apostles.
While many Catholics often consult the Bible for guidance, they can also turn to the teachings of the Pope, which govern the Church's beliefs and practices.
About half of all Christians worldwide are Roman Catholics. Other denominations, including Protestants and Orthodox Christians, do not recognise the Pope's authority.About half of all Christians worldwide are Roman Catholics. Other denominations, including Protestants and Orthodox Christians, do not recognise the Pope's authority.
The Pope lives in Vatican City, the smallest independent state in the world. It is surrounded by the Italian capital, Rome.The Pope lives in Vatican City, the smallest independent state in the world. It is surrounded by the Italian capital, Rome.
The Pope does not receive a salary, but all his travel costs and living expenses are paid for by the Vatican.The Pope does not receive a salary, but all his travel costs and living expenses are paid for by the Vatican.
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