Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo, formally declared the pope’s death and oversaw the beginning of ancient traditions marking the end of a papal reign.
In keeping with tradition, the Fisherman’s Ring—symbolic of the pope’s authority—will be broken with a special hammer, and the dies used to make the papal seal will be destroyed. These items will be buried with Francis.
The Congregation of Cardinals convened early Tuesday, April 22, to begin organising the funeral rites and to set in motion the process of electing a new pope.
Although nine days of official mourning begin immediately, the conclave to choose Francis’ successor will not begin until at least 15 days after his death.
Pope Francis reportedly died following a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure.
His passing ends a transformative papacy defined by humility, reform, and a focus on social justice.
