The Vatican has strict protocol in place for Pope Francis’ death

It was announced yesterday morning (21 April) by the Vatican that Pope Francis had passed away at the age of 88.

His cause of death has since been revealed as a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure.

Before his passing, the Pope was hospitalised in February for bronchitis, which developed into double pneumonia.

According to the Vatican, in their numerous health updates, he had been experiencing 'acute respiratory insufficiency', which led to his hospitalisation.

Following the confirmation of his death, the nine days of mourning are now set to commence ahead of the church, enacting a series of rituals before a successor is eventually chosen.

And the Vatican has some very strict protocols in place following the late Bishop of Rome's passing.

After the Pope's camerlengo (chamberlain), Cardinal Kevin Farrell, officially confirms the death, he then seals the pope's private apartment and prepares the funeral.

Then, 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.

The camerlengo, along with three assistants, then decide when the Pope's coffin will be taken into St Peter's Basilica for public viewing.

They also make sure the Pope's 'Fisherman's Ring' and his lead seal are broken so they cannot be used by anyone else.

No autopsy is performed, according to Reuters.

Pope Francis passed away on Monday morning (21 April) aged 88 (Franco Origlia/Getty Images)

The Pope’s death will automatically trigger a nine-day mourning period known as the Novendiale and during this time, daily prayers and requiem masses will be held in the Vatican as well as in various Catholic churches.

The date of the funeral and burial is then to be decided by the cardinals.

The funeral would normally be held four to six days after the Pope's death in St Peter's Square.

Unlike his many predecessors, Pope Francis had said that he would not be laid to rest in the crypt of St. Peter's Basilica, but in Rome's St. Mary Major Basilica.

He also asked to be buried in a simple wooden casket - something he confirmed in his final testament.

His face is covered by a white silk veil and he is buried with a bag containing coins minted during his reign, and a canister with a 'rogito', or deed, summarising his life and papacy.

The Vatican has some very strict protocol in place following the Bishop of Rome's passing (Getty Stock Images)

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

It is not yet clear who will now be announced as the next Bishop of Rome, with a voting process likely to last between 15 to 20 days in what is known as a papal conclave.

The decision will be made by the College of Cardinals, who will vote four times per day until a candidate receives a major two-thirds of the vote.

Likely candidates include Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Cardinal Peter Erdö, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi and Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke.