Pope Francis has passed away at the age of 88. The Vatican announced his death on Easter Monday morning. As the first Latin American pope in history, Francis will be succeeded by a new leader after a traditional conclave.
Following the papal death, the cardinal chamberlain and other officials will confirm the news and prepare for the burial ceremony. Unlike previous popes, Francis had simplified some funeral rituals, including no private viewing for cardinals. The public funeral procession will take place in St Peter’s Basilica, followed by a private ceremony where the Pope’s body will be placed in a single coffin.
Francis was buried with symbolic items, such as the pallium and coins representing his papacy years. He had previously prepared a tomb in his favorite church, the Basilica of St Mary Major, where he would eventually be laid to rest.
The succession process will begin after Francis’s death, when cardinals from around the world will gather in Rome for the conclave. The College of Cardinals will elect a new pope through a secret meeting, with the dean taking 33 rounds to reach a decision. If needed, a run-off between the top two candidates will occur.
Once a new pope is elected, he must formally accept his role and name himself before the College of Cardinals. This tradition dates back over 500 years, and most popes have chosen names such as John. The new pope’s attire for his introduction to the world will be determined by him personally, but Francis had declined the elaborate red cloak with ermine in favor of a simple white cassock.
The conclave process is expected to be lengthy, but it has been shortened over time through rule changes. Historically, conclaves have lasted up to two years and nine months, but recent average duration has been around three days.
Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-904185ba-2600-4d37-9419-9204b4da5167