The death of Pope Francis sets into motion a series of rituals, some of which go back more than 2,000 years, including how to choose the new pope. Here's what happens next.

Pope Francis had expressed the desire to be buried in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, a fifth-century church in Rome.

Even the moment of the formal verification of the pope’s death takes place in the context of a prayer service “at home” in ...

After Pope Francis’ funeral, 135 cardinals will gather for a conclave to elect a new pope. The traditions include oaths of secrecy, paper ballots and white smoke from a chimney of the Sistine Chapel.

A papal conclave will be formed with members locked inside the Sistine Chapel to take part in a very secretive voting process ...

The ceremonial guide that the Vatican follows is called the “Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis,” or “Rite of Burial for ...