Pope Francis passes away at 88: What happens next and how will a new one be chosen?

With the passing of Pope Francis at the age of 88, the Roman Catholic Church has entered a profound period of mourning and transition. As the 266th pontiff, Pope Francis served as the spiritual leader of more than 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, guiding the Church with humility and a strong commitment to social justice and reform since his election in 2013. His death marks the end of a significant era and initiates the deeply traditional and ceremonial process of electing a new pope—a process known as the papal conclave.

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