What happens during the nine days of mourning as Pope Francis has died

It was announced earlier this morning that Pope Francis has now passed away aged 88. Here's what happens next as a nine day mourning period is declared.

Vatican camerlengo Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced the news on Monday (21 April) in an official statement which reads: "At 7.35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church.

"He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with faithfulness, courage, and universal love, especially for the poorest and most marginalised."

Pope Francis has passed away aged 88 (TIZIANA FABI / Contributor / Getty Images)

The senior official's statement concluded: "With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite, merciful love of God, One and Tribune."

Francis, who suffered from chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man, was admitted to Gemelli hospital on February 14 for a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia.

He spent 38 days there, the longest hospital stay of his 12-year papacy.

However, he emerged on Easter Sunday (20 April) - a day before his death - to bless thousands of people in St Peter’s Square and treat them to a surprise Popemobile tour of the piazza, drawing wild cheers and applause.

Now that Pope Francis' death has been confirmed, the church will enact a series of rituals before a successor is chosen - but what happens during the nine days of mourning?

After the Pope's camerlengo (chamberlain), 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 Pope’s death will automatically trigger a nine-day mourning period known as the Novendiale (Buda Mendes / Staff / Getty Images)

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.

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 the Catholic world.

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 death in St. Peter's Square.

Unlike many predecessors, 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.

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.

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.