Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff in history, passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, marking a profound moment in the history of the Catholic Church. Here’s what will happen next, including the immediate aftermath of his death, the process of selecting a new pope, and what to expect during the transition.

Unsplash

Immediate aftermath: Official duties and rites

Upon Pope Francis's death, the Vatican immediately enters a period of mourning and preparation for the selection of a new pope. The Pope's camerlengo, currently Cardinal Kevin Farrell, is responsible for several official duties:

Confirming the death: Cardinal Farrell, along with a doctor, will officially confirm the pope’s death and issue a death certificate. There is no autopsy conducted.
Preparation of the body: Pope Francis’s body will be laid in a coffin at his residence in the Vatican’s Saint Martha Guesthouse at 20:00 local time, where he lived during his papacy. A prayer service will be conducted, led by Cardinal Farrell.
Sealing the residence: Farrell will also oversee the sealing of the Pope’s residence, which includes securing the suite where Francis lived during his papacy. This is a ceremonial task to ensure the sanctity of the Pope’s personal space.
Destruction of the papal seal: One significant responsibility of the camerlengo is to destroy the Pope's ring and lead seal, which authenticates official Church documents. This prevents unauthorized use of the seal following the Pope’s death.

The nine days of mourning

Following the Pope’s death, the Vatican will enter a period of mourning that typically lasts for nine days. During this time, funeral rites will be planned, and the faithful will have the opportunity to pay their respects.

Funeral arrangements: Pope Francis had requested a simpler, less ceremonial funeral compared to his predecessors. Contrary to the tradition of placing the Pope’s body on a raised platform in St. Peter’s Basilica, his coffin will remain closed for public viewing inside the church.
Burial: In keeping with his wishes, Pope Francis will not be buried in the Vatican crypt but will be laid to rest at Rome's Basilica of St. Mary Major, near an icon of the Madonna that he greatly admired. His coffin will be simple, made of wood, rather than the traditional three-layered coffins used by previous popes.

The conclave and the election of a new pope

Once the period of mourning has concluded, a conclave will be convened to elect Pope Francis’s successor. The conclave is a gathering of cardinals, who are responsible for selecting the new pope. Here’s how the process works:

Eligibility: Only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote. As of now, there are 252 cardinals, but only 135 will participate in the vote due to age restrictions.
Secrecy and voting: The conclave takes place in the Sistine Chapel, a process shrouded in secrecy. Voting happens in multiple rounds, and a two-thirds majority is required to elect a new pope. If no decision is reached, black smoke rises from the chapel’s chimney to indicate the lack of a decision. White smoke signals the election of a new pope.
Timeline: The conclave typically begins within 15-20 days after the Pope’s death, though Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation allowed for more flexibility, and it could begin earlier depending on the cardinals’ decision.

How is the new pope announced?

Once the new pope is elected, the announcement is made to the world in a ceremony that follows the conclusion of the conclave:

The “Habemus Papam” declaration: The senior cardinal will step onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica and announce, “Habemus Papam” (Latin for “We have a pope”). He will then introduce the new pontiff by his chosen papal name.
Papal name: The new pope often adopts a papal name, which may be a nod to a past pope or a saint who inspired him. For example, Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, chose his papal name in honor of St. Francis of Assisi.

What happens between the Pope’s death and the conclave?

During the interim period between the Pope’s death and the election of a new one, the College of Cardinals takes charge of the Church's day-to-day operations. However, their authority is limited, as much of the Vatican's central administration comes to a standstill.

Interim governance: The College of Cardinals governs the Vatican and handles administrative matters. Cardinal Farrell, along with other senior cardinals, ensures the smooth functioning of the Vatican.
Resignations and appointments: Many of the Church’s department heads resign from their positions to await confirmation by the new pope. This ensures that the incoming pontiff has the opportunity to appoint his own leaders within the Church.

The role of the pope

The Pope holds significant authority within the Catholic Church, acting as its supreme leader. He is believed to be the direct successor of St. Peter, whom Catholics believe was appointed by Christ to lead the Church. As such, the Pope has ultimate authority over all aspects of Church teachings and governance. His decisions are binding for over 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide.

The Pope’s role: The Pope is not only a religious leader but also a political figure with influence on global issues such as peace, justice, and social welfare.
Catholic tradition: In keeping with Catholic tradition, the Pope serves as the Church’s moral compass, guiding the faithful in their spiritual lives and addressing contemporary issues through his teachings.

Who could be the next pope?

While any baptized Catholic male could theoretically be chosen, in practice, the cardinals usually elect one of their own. Historical precedent shows that Europeans, particularly Italians, have been favored in papal elections, though recent trends have moved towards selecting a pope from outside Europe.

Possibility of non-Europeans: Pope Francis’s papacy was groundbreaking, as he was the first pope from South America. Given the number of cardinals Francis appointed from outside Europe, it’s possible his successor could come from another part of the world, marking another significant shift in the tradition of papal selection.

↗️ READ: Pope Francis passes away

Pope Francis dies: How is a new pope chosen?