Rituals performed once Pope's death is confirmed

The Vatican on Monday announced the death of Pope Francis, which sets the stage for the choosing of the new head of the worldwide Catholic Church.

A new Pope is chosen under only two circumstances: the death or the resignation of the current Pope.

Usually, the position of Pope is a life-long one, but with some exceptions.

There is no provision under canon law to remove a Pope from office. This has posed an issue in the past, for example, during the final months of Pope Saint John Paul II's Papacy

He was gravely ill and incapacitated, but the College of Cardinals could not start the process of Conclave until after his death.

A doctor confirms the Pope's death, but only the Camerlengo (Chamberlin) can initiate the complex process of rituals that begins after his death.

The Camerlengo is the Vatican's overseer of property and revenues.

It is his job to execute the protocols and organise the funeral.

The current Camerlengo, Cardinal Kevin Farrell will refer to a 400-page handbook called "Funeral Rites of the Roman Pontiff" that will guide him through the strict protocols governing a papal funeral.

Firstly, he will call out the Pope's baptismal name three times (Jorge Mario Bergoglio for Pope Francis).

This was traditionally done to ensure the Pope was dead and not just sleeping.

Only when he receives no answer does he confirm the official death of the Pope.

The next step is the ceremonial destruction of the "Fisherman's Ring".

The Ring of the Fisherman, also known as the Piscatory Ring, is an official part of the regalia worn by the pope.

This was traditionally a very important step, as the ring was used as the seal of the Pope on official documents.

Its destruction was to safeguard against any misuse, such as the ring being used to forge documents. Today, the act is purely symbolic and signifies the end of the Pope's authority.

Finally, the Papal apartments are sealed, a measure that historically was meant to guard against looting.

The first indication that the public receives of a Pope's death is the mourning bell of St. Peter's Basilica.

The bell of the Basilica tolls for every year of a Pope's life. It chimed 84 times when Pope Saint John Paul II in 2005.

The bells did not chime in 2013 when Pope Benedict XVI's Papacy ended, as he didn't die; he resigned.

The Vatican has now entered an interregnum period known as Sede Vacante. The throne of St. Peter is empty.