The confirmed death of Pope Francis is expected to shake those of the Catholic faith to the core and leave many with questions on what happens next.

The Vatican confirmed on Monday (April 21) that Pope Francis, real name Jorge Mario Bergoglio, has died.

His health had been a cause for concern in recent months as he had been rushed to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital back in February.

He had suffered a respiratory infection, chronic bronchitis, which developed into pneumonia in both lungs, and a mild kidney failure.

Following this, in April he had experienced an ‘isolated attack of bronchospasm, which caused an episode of vomiting with inhalation and a sudden worsening of his respiratory condition.’

The statement from the Vatican read: “Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta.”

Tributes are expected to flood in across the world as news of his death spreads.

Now that his death has been confirmed, the church will enact a series of rituals before a successor is chosen.

What are the rituals the church will perform in the wake of Pope Francis’ death?

The first step of the protocol after the Pope’s death is for the camerlengo to confirm the death, the senior Vatican position is currently held by Irish-born Cardinal Kevin Farrell.

After this, the pope’s body, wearing a white cassock, is taken to his private chapel where he is robed in red vestments and then placed in a zinc-lined wooden coffin with his symbols of office – the mitre and pallium – beside him.

Then the camerlengo drafts a document authenticating the pope’s death, and the pontiff’s private papers are gathered, his apartments sealed off and his ‘fisherman’s ring’, used to seal papal documents, is defaced or destroyed with a ceremonial hammer.

The pope’s death will automatically trigger a nine-day mourning period known as the Novendiale.

What happens during the Novendiale?

During this time, daily prayers and requiem masses will be held in the Vatican as well as in the Catholic world.

The pope’s official funeral is then set to be held and this usually takes place at St. Peter’s Square between four and six days after his death and is expected to be full of mourners who pack in for the service.

With his face covered by a white silk veil, the pope will be buried with a bag containing coins minted during his reign, and a canister with a ‘rogito’, or deed, summarising his life and papacy.

Until a successor is chosen the Vatican will be in a transitional period and this is known as sede vacante, meaning vacant seat.

Pope Francis has died aged 88 as Vatican issue statement

The Pope has tragically passed away following a short health battle

The Holy Father at the head of the Roman Catholic Church, whose real name was Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was elected to be Pope in March 2013.

Now, the Vatican has confirmed the 88-year-old has died in a statement on Monday (April 21).

Camerlengo Cardinal Kevin Farrell said: “Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7.35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father.

“His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church.

“He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with faithfulness, courage, and universal love, especially for the poorest and most marginalised.

“With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite, merciful love of God, One and Tribune.″

The Pope has died after a short health battle (Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty Images)

Since February this year, Pope Francis has undergone a health struggle as he was rushed to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, indicating he had suffered a respiratory infection, chronic bronchitis, which developed into pneumonia in both lungs and mild kidney failure.

Last month, he had experienced an ‘isolated attack of bronchospasm which caused an episode of vomiting with inhalation and a sudden worsening of his respiratory condition’.

The Vatican posted updates about the Pope’s ongoing health since his hospitalization, revealing in February that while he ‘slept’ well and was in ‘good humour’, his condition remained ‘critical.’

They warned at the time that while he ‘cooperated with the therapeutic measures,’ his prognosis remained ‘uncertain’.

On Sunday (February 23), the Pope asked Catholics to pray for him after he was unable to deliver the traditional Angelus prayer for the second week in a row, the BBC reported.

Throughout his leadership, Pope Francis established many ‘firsts’. He was the first Pope to come from from the Society of Jesus, where priests and brothers dedicate their lives to Jesus Christ, as well as the first to be Latin American, being born in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Pope Francis made many firsts during his tenure and was considered one of the most progressive heads of the church (ALBERTO PIZZOLIALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images)

He was also the first Pope to have been born or raised outside Europe since the Syrian Pope Gregory III, some 1,200 years ago.

The Argentinian cardinal, who chose his papal name in honour of Sant Francis of Assisi, was also praised for his progressive attitude and humility.

For instance, he was often heard contemplating the war in Ukraine and making comments about the refugee crisis, the climate emergency, global injustice, and even LGBTQ+ rights.

Throughout 2023, Pope Francis slammed laws criminalizing homosexuality as a sin. He approved blessings for same-sex civil unions, famously telling journalists: “Who am I to judge?” when prompted with the question.

He also pushed for other reforms within the church in his life, including giving more roles to women in high-ranking Vatican positions.

He broke the formalities of his predecessors by choosing to reside in the Domus Sanctae Marthae, a church guest house, rather than the grand Apostolic Palace.

The Vatican issue major health update on Pope Francis after being left in critical condition following ‘respiratory crisis’

The Vatican has issued a statement regarding the Pope’s health

The Vatican has issued an update on the health of the Pope, who fell into a critical condition last week.

Pope Francis was diagnosed with pneumonia in both of his lungs following his admission to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on February 14 with chronic bronchitis, which is a respiratory infection.

According to Cleveland Clinic, pneumonia is ‘inflammation and fluid in your lungs caused by a bacterial, viral or fungal infection. It makes it difficult to breathe and can cause a fever and cough with yellow, green or bloody mucus’.