Following the death of Pope Francis at the age of 88 on April 21, 2025, the Roman Catholic Church has initiated a series of time-honored rituals and procedures to honor his legacy and elect his successor.​

🕊️ Mourning and Funeral Rites

Upon the Pope's passing, the Camerlengo, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, officially confirmed his death and assumed responsibility for managing the Church's day-to-day affairs during the interregnum, known as sede vacante ("vacant seat") . The Pope's personal residence was sealed, and his official seals and the "Fisherman's Ring" were destroyed to prevent misuse.

Pope Francis had requested a modest funeral. His body will lie in state for public viewing, followed by a funeral Mass within 4 to 6 days of his death . He will be interred at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, deviating from the traditional burial site of St. Peter's Basilica . A nine-day mourning period, known as novendiales, will follow, featuring daily Masses in his memory.

🗳️ The Conclave: Electing a New Pope

The process to elect a new pope is governed by the apostolic constitution Universi Dominici Gregis. The College of Cardinals will convene in a conclave at the Sistine Chapel between May 6 and May 11, 2025, to elect the next pontiff.

Only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote, totaling 135 electors, 108 of whom were appointed by Pope Francis . The conclave involves up to four voting sessions per day, and a two-thirds majority is required to elect the new pope . After each voting session, ballots are burned; white smoke signals a successful election, while black smoke indicates no decision has been reached.

Speculation about potential successors includes Cardinal Pietro Parolin (Italy), Cardinal Robert Sarah (Guinea), and Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines), among others .​

📢 Announcement of the New Pope

Once a new pope is elected and accepts the position, he chooses a papal name and is introduced to the world with the proclamation "Habemus Papam" ("We have a Pope") from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica. He then delivers his first blessing to the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square .​