Pope Francis has died. What happens now?
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NEW YORK (PIX11) – Pope Francis died on Monday at the age of 88 years old, according to the Vatican.
The religious figure had been admitted to an Italian hospital for a respiratory crisis on Feb. 14. He spent 38 days hospitalized before he was discharged and made his last public appearance on Easter Sunday, blessing thousands in St. Peter's Square.
The pope will likely lie in state at St. Peter’s Basilica before the celebration of a funeral mass. He'll then be interred within the next four to six days, per Vatican protocol.
As far as selecting a new pope, the papal conclave begins 15 to 20 days after a pope’s death, according to Encyclopedia Britannica. Cardinals will lock themselves inside the Sistine Chapel and vote on candidates until someone receives a two-thirds majority.
Black smoke coming from the chapel signals a failed vote, while white smoke means they’ve elected a new pope.
The new pope then chooses a name and is introduced on a balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square.
This story comprises reporting from The Associated Press.
Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here.