What happens next as Vatican announces death of Pope Francis aged 88

The confirmed death of Pope Francis is expected to shake those of the Catholic faith to the core and leave many with questions on what happens next.

The Vatican confirmed on Monday (April 21) that Pope Francis, real name Jorge Mario Bergoglio, has died.

His health had been a cause for concern in recent months as he had been rushed to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital back in February.

He had suffered a respiratory infection, chronic bronchitis, which developed into pneumonia in both lungs, and a mild kidney failure.

Following this, in April he had experienced an 'isolated attack of bronchospasm, which caused an episode of vomiting with inhalation and a sudden worsening of his respiratory condition.'

The statement from the Vatican read: "Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta."

The Pope's death will see a period of mourning take place (FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP via Getty Images)

Tributes are expected to flood in across the world as news of his death spreads.

Now that his death has been confirmed, the church will enact a series of rituals before a successor is chosen.

What are the rituals the church will perform in the wake of Pope Francis' death?

The first step of the protocol after the Pope’s death is for the camerlengo to confirm the death, the senior Vatican position is currently held by Irish-born Cardinal Kevin Farrell.

After this, the pope’s body, wearing a white cassock, is taken to his private chapel where he is robed in red vestments and then placed in a zinc-lined wooden coffin with his symbols of office - the mitre and pallium - beside him.

Then the camerlengo drafts a document authenticating the pope's death, and the pontiff's private papers are gathered, his apartments sealed off and his 'fisherman's ring', used to seal papal documents, is defaced or destroyed with a ceremonial hammer.

The pope’s death will automatically trigger a nine-day mourning period known as the Novendiale.

The Vatican will now look to replace the Pope (Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty Images)

What happens during the Novendiale?

During this time, daily prayers and requiem masses will be held in the Vatican as well as in the Catholic world.

The pope’s official funeral is then set to be held and this usually takes place at St. Peter's Square between four and six days after his death and is expected to be full of mourners who pack in for the service.

With his face covered by a white silk veil, the pope will be buried with a bag containing coins minted during his reign, and a canister with a 'rogito', or deed, summarising his life and papacy.

Until a successor is chosen the Vatican will be in a transitional period and this is known as sede vacante, meaning vacant seat.

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