• Pope Francis, the 266th pope of the Catholic Church, has died at age 88.
• The Vatican will observe a nine-day mourning period, and the College of Cardinals will convene to elect a new pope.
• Francis served as pope for over a decade, advocating for inclusivity and addressing social and political issues.

Pope Francis, 88, a Jesuit who sought to make the Catholic Church more inclusive, has died, the Vatican said Easter Monday.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, announced the pope’s death from the Casa Santa Marta with these words, according to Vatican News:

“Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God.”

Here’s what we know about Pope Francis and how he will be replaced.

What time did Pope Francis die?

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, announced the pope’s death from the Casa Santa Marta early Monday morning. He said that “at 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father.”

The cause of death was not immediately announced, but Francis had spent more than five weeks in the hospital earlier this year with bronchitis and related illnesses.

What happens when the pope dies?

The camerlengo, a high-ranking Vatican official, seals the papal apartments and other offices, a tradition that originated to prevent looting and now serves as a symbolic end to the pope’s rule. The Vatican enters into a nine-day mourning period.

According to the Universi Dominici Gregis constitution, which governs papal transitions, the Pope must be buried between the fourth and sixth day after death.

Traditionally, popes have been buried in three nested coffins — one of cypress, one of zinc, and one of elm. However, Francis has opted for a simpler wooden and zinc coffin. Like his predecessors, he will likely be buried with a rogito, a document summarizing his life and papacy, according to The Catholic Company.

In a new formal rite published in 2024, the Vatican said Francis will forego a centuries-old practice of burying the late pope in three interlocking caskets made of cypress, lead and oak. Instead, Francis will be buried in a single, zinc-lined wooden coffin.

More: What did Pope Francis mean to you? Send a letter to the editor | Letters

Who is the new pope? How is a new pope chosen?

Once a pope dies, or retires as Benedict XVI did, a new pope must be selected.

To fill a vacancy, the College of Cardinals meets at the Vatican for what is known as a conclave.

The conclave, the process of electing a new pope, begins 15-20 days after the Pope’s passing. Only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote, which typically includes around 120 cardinals. Before voting, they take an oath of secrecy and are secluded in the Sistine Chapel, cut off from outside influences.

A candidate must received two-thirds of all votes to become pope.

Who was Pope Francis?

Pope Francis was elected by the College of Cardinals to be pope on March 13, 2013. He was the first Jesuit chosen pope.

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires to Italian immigrant parents, Francis rose through the ranks as a Jesuit priest in his home country of Argentina. Francis was the 266th pope, the first pope from the Americas and the first born outside of Europe in over a millennia. During his papacy, he was praised and criticized for commenting on political issues, from immigration to LGBTQ issues.

Francis chose priesthood in his 20s and, in 1963, graduated with a degree in philosophy from the Colegio de San José in San Miguel

, The Holy See said.

In 1969, he was ordained a priest by Archbishop Ramón José Castellano.

At the Consistory of Feb. 21, 2001, John Paul II

named him a cardinal.

How did Pope Francis die?

Pope Francis was first admitted to Rome’s Agostino Gemelli Hospital Feb. 14 after battling bronchitis. He had been struggling to speak and even breathe during public appearances before that. His hospitalization included multiple attacks of “acute respiratory insufficiency,” according to daily updates issued by the Vatican.

While hospitalized, the pope was also diagnosed with a polymicrobial infection and then mild renal insufficiency.

The pope was released from the hospital March 23 and had been back to work, albeit on a shortened schedule.

Where does the pope live?

The pope lives in Vatican City, an independent state surrounded by Rome, Italy. He stays in the Apostolic Palace, referred to as the papal palace or Vatican palace, a massive complex within the city, PopeHistory.com said.

Francis lived in the Vatican guesthouse called Domus Sanctae Marthae (Saint Martha’s House), rather than the Papal Apartments.

What does a pope do?

The Pope is the head of state and Roman Catholic Church and is considered a unifying political and religious correspondent to Catholics all around the world. He is often traveling and holding masses, Sight Seeing Tours Italy said.

According to churchauthority.org, the Pope is considered the “Supreme Pastor,” following the efforts of St. Peter the first pope of the Catholic Church.

Who was pope before Francis?

Francis’ predecessor, Pope Benedict, stepped down from the papacy in 2013, a decision that had not been made by someone of his station in almost 600 years. Benedict, then 85, cited his age and declining health. He died in 2022.

USA TODAY contributed.

Contact Sarah Moore @ [email protected].