What’s next after the death of Pope Francis?

GULFPORT, Miss. (WXXV)- As Catholics and people across the globe continue to mourn the death of Pope Francis, behind the scenes at the Vatican right now, a detailed and centuries-old plan is being put into motion for the late pontiff’s funeral and the process for choosing his successor.

The Holy See and Vatican City is in a period of Sede Vacante, that’s Latin for the ‘the seat is vacant.’

Most administrative functions of Vatican City and the Catholic Church have come to a halt upon the death of Pope Francis.

Now throughout the course of the week, we know the Pope’s body will lie in state at St. Peter’s Basilica for three days so the public can pay their respects.

Between four to six days from now, Pope Francis’ funeral will take place in St. Peter’s Square.

It will be a major event with world leaders and dignitaries gathering at the Vatican for the funeral mass.

Francis has requested to be buried at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, a church in Rome outside the Vatican’s walls.

After the funeral, and usually around 15 to 20 days after the Pope’s death, senior bishops, called cardinals, who are under the age of 80 will meet in the Sistine Chapel for the start of the Papal Conclave, the process of electing a new pope.

Technically, any baptized Catholic male is eligible to become pope, but since 1389, a cardinal has been elevated to the papacy.

A two-thirds voting majority is needed for election to the papacy and when that happens, white smoke will billow from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney, signaling that a new pope has been selected.

Shortly after that, the new pope will appear on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica in front of thousands of people gathered in the square below, marking the beginning of a new papacy.