What happens during the interregnum period? Tom Reese, S.J., explains the time between one pope's death and the succession of the next pope.

The Pope, famous—perhaps foremost—for his insistence on simplicity and aversion to clerical glitz, wanted to be buried not at the Vatican but at the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major, where before and after each of his international trips he went to pray.

Pope Francis died at age 88 on April 21, setting off a series of centuries-old rituals to select a new leader of the Catholic Church.

With the funeral now over, attention has turned to the conclave, the confidential process through which a new pope will be chosen, which the Vatican has confirmed will begin on 7 May. Throughout history,

Hundreds of thousands of mourners were gathering at the Vatican to honor the life of Pope Francis on Saturday morning. But not long after the celebration of life concludes, senior officials of the Catholic Church will meet to discuss his successor.