The death of Pope Francis aged 88 is being mourned across the world by both Catholics and other Christians.
The Pope died in the morning of Easter Monday, April 21 after prolonged illness.
This was announced by the Vatican.
3news.com has come across information on the next steps as follows:
After the death of a pope, the funeral will take place a maximum of six days later, during which time their body lies in state in St Peter’s Basilica.
The Conclave – where cardinals gather in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican to choose a successor – will not happen for at least 15 days from the day of the pope’s passing.
The Vatican Chamberlain, currently Cardinal Kevin Farrell, will first certify officially that the Pope is dead by calling his name three times at his bedside.
The Pope’s office and private apartments will be sealed and the papal fisherman’s ring removed from his finger and broken with a hammer.
The body of the Pope will then be dressed in red robes with a white mitre on his head, and he will be taken to St Peter’s Basilica to lie in state for three days.
After the funeral and burial ceremonies, the pope will be replaced through voting.
