Pope Francis, age 88, died on Easter Monday at 7:35 a.m. after suffering a stroke and heart failure.

His funeral took place on April 26, where more than 250,000 attended a simplified service to mourn him. In addition, over 100 world leaders and delegates made an appearance and paid their respects.

Pope Francis has been suffering health issues for some time, including bilateral pneumonia. After succumbing to these health problems, Pope Francis’s death was announced by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, at 9:45 a.m., about two hours after his death.

The announcement by the Cardinal Farrell is as follows:

“Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house 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 fidelity, courage and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized. 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 the One and Triune God.”

After the events following Pope Francis’s death have panned out, the process of selecting a new pope will commence.

“They’re going to meet together in something called a conclave,” says Kathryn Larson, MCHS social science teacher, “which is made up of many different cardinals who are gonna vote together on a new pope.”

“So they’re looking for various qualities in a new pope,” says Larson. “Usually it’s people who have long standing with the church. The key thing is that they shut themselves in the conclave, actually, and we lock the door.”

The voting process can take days, even weeks, as the different cardinals debate and finally choose a new head of the Catholic Church.