What happens when a Pope dies?
Once a Pope passes away, a doctor confirms the death in the presence of the Cardinal Chamberlain and the Vatican's Director of health services.
Former Pope Benedict XVI has died at his Vatican residence, aged 95, almost a decade after he stood down because of ailing health.
To mark the Pope's death, the bells of St. Peter's Basilica toll. Then, throughout the city of Rome, churches join in spreading the news throughout the Eternal City.
He led the Catholic Church for less than eight years until, in 2013, he became the first Pope to resign since Gregory XII in 1415.
Benedict spent his final years at the Mater Ecclesiae monastery within the walls of the Vatican.
Tradition holds that the Cardinal Vicar of Rome makes the official announcement to the public. Usually a period of nine days is declared for official mourning, which also gives time for pilgrims, cardinals, and heads of state to travel to Rome.
The Vatican said the body of the Pope Emeritus will be placed in St Peter's Basilica from 2 January for "the greeting of the faithful".
Pope Benedict, who in 2013 became the first pontiff in 600 years to step down, died on Saturday aged 95 in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican where he had lived since his resignation, a spokesman for the Holy See said.
The body of the deceased Pope is then placed in the Apostolic Palace for members of the Curia to pay their respects, and then it is moved to St. Peter's Basilica to allow pilgrims to pay their last respects.
Content created and supplied by: Jusa (via Opera News )
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