EXPLAINER: What Happens Now That Pope Francis Has Died?

by Michael Haynes at LifeSite

With Pope Francis having died the Catholic Church now enters the sede vacante period as cardinals prepare for the papal funeral and secretive conclave to elect a new pope.

VATICAN CITY (LifeSiteNews) — With the death of Pope Francis, the Catholic Church now enters into the involved rites of a papal funeral and conclave, which sees cardinals come to Rome for the ancient and secretive ceremony to elect a new pope.

The process is both rare and largely unknown, given that the conclave takes place behind closed doors and participants are forbidden from revealing details under pain of excommunication.

In order to further explain the next steps for the Church, LifeSiteNews has prepared an in-depth analysis on what happens now for the Catholic Church.

BREAKING: Pope Francis has died aged 88

Papal death

Following Pope Francis’ death on Monday morning, the ancient custom of a papal funeral and conclave begins once again. The Dean of the College of Cardinals instructs all the cardinals and the diplomatic corps credited to the Holy See about the death of the Roman pontiff, and the members of the media have been also informed by the Vatican press office.

The Papal Camerlengo, currently Cardinal Kevin Farrell, must authenticate the death of the Pope – a process which is to take place on April 21 in the evening. He also takes the Pope’s ring and seal, so that they may be broken in the presence of the College of Cardinals, in order to avoid their being used to forge documents.

The sede vacante period has begun, and lasts until the chosen candidate accepts the election of his brother cardinals during the conclave.

A little noted fact is that upon the death of a pope all those who lead dicasteries…