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Thomas J. ReeseApril 28, 2025
The Sistine Chapel in the Vatican Museums is pictured in this March 9, 2013, file photo, as preparations began for the conclave that elected Pope Francis. (CNS photo/Paul Haring) 

Editors’ note: Pope Francis died on Monday, April 21, at the age of 88. The church is now in the “papal interregnum,” the period between the death of a pope and the election of his successor, when the chair of St. Peter is vacant. On April 28, the Vatican announced that the conclave to elect the next pope will take place on May 7. In 2013, ahead of the conclave that elected Pope Francis,former editor in chief of America Thomas J. Reese, S.J., wrote an article answering frequently asked questions about the death of a pope, the transition period and conclaves. Father Reese has updated that article, the original version of which can be found here.

When a pope dies or resigns:

During the Interregnum:

The Conclave:

Editor’s note: This article is an update of one prepared prior to the 2013 conclave. The 2013 version can be found here.

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