The death of Pope Francis has triggered a period of mourning and preparation in the Catholic Church.
Known as the sede vacante (vacant seat), this time involves a nine-day mourning period called the Novendiale.
The College of Cardinals will now organize a conclave, a secretive meeting to elect a new pope, expected to take place 15 to 20 days after his death.
The dean of the College, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, will lead the funeral, likely in St. Peter’s Square, within four to six days.
Unlike past popes, Francis chose to be buried in a simple wooden coffin at Santa Maria Maggiore basilica in Rome, not the Vatican.
This reflects his devotion to the Salus Populi Romani icon and his desire for simplicity. His death has also sparked discussions about his legacy.
He made bold moves, like appointing Sister Raffaella Petrini as the first woman governor of Vatican City and revising Church teachings to oppose the death penalty.
However, his reforms faced resistance from conservative factions, and his clash with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance over migration policies highlighted tensions.
