Pope Francis has passed; here’s what happens now

Updated April 23, 2025, 7:48 a.m. | By East Coast Breakfast

With Pope Francis' passing, the world watches as ancient Vatican traditions unfold. Here’s what happens next.

The world woke up to solemn news this week that Pope Francis has passed away at the age of 88.

His death was confirmed by the Vatican on Monday, just a day after he made a final appearance at the Easter Sunday Mass in Saint Peter’s Square.

As millions of Catholics and people of other faiths process this loss, many are wondering: what happens next?

The death of a pope triggers a series of deeply rooted traditions that have been followed for centuries, and over the next few days, there’s a lot to look out for.

Let’s break it down.

ALSO READ: A 'discreet death': Vatican recounts Pope's last hours

Nine days of mourning

First up, the Catholic Church observes a special nine-day period of mourning called the Novendiale.

It’s a time filled with daily prayers, masses, and moments of reflection; not just in Vatican City, but in churches around the world.

Pope Francis’s body will be dressed in traditional papal vestments and placed in Saint Peter’s Basilica, where thousands (if not millions) are expected to come through and pay their last respects.

It’s a powerful moment of global solidarity, faith, and farewell.

You can view the official image of the Pope's body here, released by The Associated Press.

A funeral for the history books

If history is any guide, the funeral will be massive. It’s set to take place in Saint Peter’s Square, led by Giovanni Battista Re, the 91-year-old Dean of the College of Cardinals.

It won’t just be cardinals and priests in attendance, though. World leaders, royals, dignitaries, and public figures from every corner of the globe are expected to be there.

When Pope John Paul II passed in 2005, his funeral became one of the biggest gatherings of global leaders in modern history.

Expect something similarly significant for Pope Francis.

The Pope’s final resting place

Traditionally, popes are buried four to six days after their passing, laid to rest within three nested coffins – one each of cypress, lead, and elm.

Yet, in true Pope Francis style, who was known for his humility and simplicity, he requested to be buried in a single coffin made of wood and zinc.

Along with his body, a special scroll called a rogito, documenting his life story and papacy, will be placed beside him (it's basically an obituary).

It’s a beautiful touch and one of the Vatican’s long-held customs.

Who becomes Pope next? Here’s how that works

After the pope passes, the Vatican enters a period called sede vacante (meaning “the seat is vacant”).

For the next couple of weeks, no big decisions are made, and the day-to-day running of the church is handled by the College of Cardinals.

Then, about 15 to 20 days later, the cardinals under the age of 80 gather inside the Sistine Chapel for a conclave (that super-secret, old-school process of electing a new pope).

It’s basically one of the most fascinating elections on Earth.

Voting happens up to four times a day, and if no one gets a two-thirds majority, they keep going.

You’ll know the outcome based on the colour of smoke rising from the chapel’s chimney: