What's next after Pope Francis' death

Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, aged 88.

Following tradition, the Camerlengo, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, confirmed his death with a doctor and an official certificate.

No autopsy will be conducted. The Pope’s residence, Saint Martha's guesthouse, has been sealed, and his ring and lead seal were destroyed to prevent forgery.

His body was placed in a coffin at 8:00 PM in his chapel for initial rites, and a nine-day mourning period (Novemdiales) began.

Following his wishes, Pope Francis will not lie in state on a raised platform. He chose a simple wooden coffin, unlike the traditional three-nested ones.

Uniquely, he will be buried at the Basilica of St Mary Major, not in the Vatican crypt, making him the first Pope in over a century to be buried elsewhere.