What next after the death of Pope Francis?

Following the announced passing of Pope Francis by the Vatican on Monday, a series of time-honored traditions mark the transition from one papacy to the next in the Roman Catholic Church.

First, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the camerlengo, will officially confirm the Pope's death. He is responsible for sealing the Pope's private apartment and organizing the funeral preparations.

A critical task for the camerlengo and his three assistants is deciding when the late Pope's coffin will be displayed for public viewing in St. Peter's Basilica. They will also ensure that the Pope's "Fisherman's Ring" and lead seal are destroyed to prevent misuse. In line with custom, no autopsy will be conducted.

The Church will observe nine days of mourning, with the funeral's date to be set by the cardinals, typically occurring four to six days post-mortem. Unlike many former popes, Pope Francis expressed his wish not to be interred in St. Peter's Basilica's crypt, but rather in St. Mary Major Basilica in Rome, and requested a simple wooden casket for his burial.

During this period, the College of Cardinals manages the Church's daily operations, though with restricted authority, leading to a temporary slowdown in central administration.

The conclave to elect a new pope will commence in the Sistine Chapel, occurring between 15 to 20 days after the Pope's death, with the precise start date determined by the cardinals. Participating in the secretive ballot are all cardinals under the age of 80, necessitating a two-thirds plus one vote majority to elect the new pope. The election process may involve multiple rounds over several days. Upon election, the new pope is asked to confirm his acceptance and declare his chosen papal name.

The successful election is communicated to the world through the burning of ballots with chemicals that produce white smoke from the chapel's chimney. Black smoke, meanwhile, signifies an inconclusive vote.

Next, the dean of the College of Cardinals will announce "Habemus Papam" (We have a pope) from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, introducing the new pope, who will offer his blessing to the gathered crowd in the square.