Now that Pope Francis stays in a critical condition in the hospital, millions of Catholics pray that he will recover.
The Vatican offered today hope by saying that there has been a 'slight improvement' in the state of the Pontiff, which was admitted on Valentine's Day with an infection that developed into pneumonia in both lungs.
But the fate of the Argentinian has led to discussion about what will happen when the worst news comes.
After the death of a pope, their funeral will take place a maximum of six days later, during which time their body is in the state in St.'s Basilica.
The conclave – where cardinals gather in the Sixtine Chapel in the Vatican to choose a successor – will not take place for at least 15 days from the day of the pope's death.
The Vatican Chamberlain, currently Cardinal Kevin Farrell, will first officially declare that the Pope is dead by calling his name three times at his bed.
The Pope's office and the private apartments are sealed and the ring from the papal fisherman removed from his finger and broken with a hammer.
The body of the pope will then be dressed in red robes with a white miter on his head, and he will be brought to St.'s Basilica to be able to lie in.
The Pope using a wheelchair in the Vatican, February 3, 2025
Unlike most of his predecessors – Francis revealed in 2023 that he will be buried in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in the Esquilino district in Rome, instead of most of his predecessors in the caves under St. Peter's.
Only cardinals of 80 years and younger – so 138 of 252 currently – can vote in the conclave.
Cardinals are locked in the chapel without access to technology or the outside world until a new pope is chosen by two -thirds majority.
The previous conclave – when Pope Benedict resigned in 2013 – lasted only a day, but technically they can take weeks, months or even years.
In modern times they tend to last only a few days. If no new pope has been chosen after about two weeks of voting, cardinals can opt for a majority of votes.
The first day of the conclave starts with the mass 'Pro Eligeno Romano Pontificie' for the election of a Pope.
Cardinals gather in the afternoon in the Pauline chapel of the apostolic palace and then serve in the Sixtine Chapel.
While they do that, they will sing the litany of saints and the Latin hymn Veni Creator, who begs the saints and the Holy Spirit to help them in their decision.
The conclave will take place in the Sixtine Chapel. Above: Cardinals on the first day of the conclave in 2013, after the resignation of Benedict
Pope Franciscus focuses on the loyal form the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica to have been chosen as the new Pontiff, March 13, 2013
Standing under the 'creation' of Michelangelo and before his 'Last Judgment', every Cardinal places his hand on the gospels and promises 'with the greatest faith' to never reveal the details of the conclave.
A meditation about the qualities needed for the next pope and the challenges that come for the church is supplied by Maltese Cardinal Prosper Grech.
The master of liturgical festivals then cries 'extra omnes', Latin for 'all out'.
Everyone except the cardinals then leave and the voices can start.
Each Cardinal writes his choice on a piece of paper that is registered with the words 'Eligo in Summen Pontificem' (I choose as Supreme Pontiff).
One by one they approach the altar and say, “I call Christ the Lord who will be my judge, that my voice is given to those who, for God, I think that should be chosen.”
The folded ballot is placed on a round plate and pushed into an oval silver and gold urn.
In the past, a single chalice was used to hold the ballot papers.
In accordance with the tradition, Benedict was able to be in St. Peter's Basilica (above, January 2023) and was then buried in a crypt under the building. Pope Francis will be buried in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in the Esquilino district in Rome
But conclave changes by Pope John Paul II in 1996 required three ships: one for Chapel stemnuts, another for morbid cardinals in the Vatican who can vote out of their beds and the third to hold the ballot papers after counting.
Outside, on St Peter's Square, tens of thousands of Catholics will watch – together with millions more on television around the world – to see smoke coming out of the chimney of the Sixtine Chapel after every voting round.
Black smoke means that no decision has been made, white smoke means that a new pope has been selected.
The smoke stems from the burnt ballot papers and a dye is added to ensure that the smoke has the right color every time.
As soon as the cardinals have been chosen from their number, the master of liturgical ceremonies will enter the Sistine Chapel.
The future choice is asked: “Do you accept your Canonic elections as Supreme Pontiff?”
Assuming they say, “I accept,” the cardinal will then be asked which name they want to be known.
The new pope then gets their iconic white cassock before each cardinal approaches him to swear obedience.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista re blessed the coffin of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI during his funeral on St. Peter's Square in the Vatican, on January 5, 2023
The pope will then appear on the balcony with a view of St. Peter's Square, to tackle the jubilant believers for the first time.
Prior to him, Dominique will be Mamberti, the Cardinal Protodeacon. He will announce 'Habemus Papam', Latin for 'we have a new pope'.
Pope Franciscus chosen place of funeral is one of the four most important papal basilikas. Seven popes – from Honorious III in 1216 to Clement IX in 1669 – were buried there.
But most, including Francis's direct predecessor -Paus Benedictus, are buried under St. Peter's.
Francis revealed his decision to be buried elsewhere in 2023.
In a further break with the tradition, new rites that published last year said that Francis will be laid to rest in a single wooden box lined with zinc.
Pope Franciscus always prayed in the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore before and after traveling abroad.
He made more than 100 visits to the church of the fifth century, where he would pray for a sacred image of the Virgin Mary and Baby Jesus.
