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The death of Pope Francis sets in motion a carefully orchestrated transition aimed at ensuring the stability and continuity of the Roman Catholic Church. Here’s what happens next. wapo.st/4isdiAK

The pope’s death is certified by the Vatican’s director of health and hygiene who serves in the role of the “camerlengo” and facilitates the papal transition and arranges for the destruction of the lead papal seal and the papal ring, which are unique to each pope.

The body of Pope Francis, dressed in red, will remain in his private chapel until a public viewing in the basilica. Previous popes were placed on a raised bier, but Francis did away with those guidelines, and his body will lie directly in a zinc-lined coffin. wapo.st/4cGPjMB

A pope’s funeral typically takes place four to six days after his death and marks the start of nine days of mourning. No plans had been formally announced by the Vatican as of Monday morning. wapo.st/4cGPjMB

Fifteen to 20 days after the pope’s death, red-cloaked members of the College of Cardinals will gather in the Sistine Chapel to choose the next pontiff. wapo.st/4cGPjMB