The death of Pope Francis, where he will be buried and when cardinals gather to elect the new church chieftain

Kammerling and three assistants decide when the pope's coffin will be sent to St. Peter's Basilica for public prayer. They also make sure that the “Meza of the Fisherman” and the pope's bullet seal is broken so that no one else can be used. No autopsy performed.

The mourning rites last nine days, with the date for the funeral and burial assigned by cardinals. The funeral is normally held four to six days after its death at St. Peter's Square. Francisco had said that, unlike many ancestors, he would not rest in the salt of St. Peter's Basilica, but in the Basilica of St. He had also sought to be buried in a simple wooden coffin.

The College of Cardinals oversees daily affairs during the intermediate period. They have limited powers and most of the central church administration stops.

Conclava to select the new pope begins at Vatican Castle between 15 and 20 days after her death. Cardinals, who stay closed in the Vatican all the time of the treaty, decide on the exact date.

All cardinals under the age of 80 can participate in the secret vote. A majority of at least two-thirds plus one is needed to elect the new pope, so the vote may last several rounds and several days. When the choice ends, the new pope is asked if he accepts it and what name he wants to get.

The world learns that a pope has been chosen when an official burns out the ballot sheets with special chemicals to create white smoke coming out of the church chimney. Other chemicals are used to create black smoke showing a non-final vote.

The Dean of the College of Cardinals appears on St. Peter's central balcony to proclaim “Habmus Papam” (We have a pope). The new pope then appears and gives his blessing to the crowd in the square.