Vatican City —
The Vatican has officially begun the process of selecting the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church following the death of Pope Francis, the 266th pontiff.
According to sources within the Holy See, preparations are underway for the convening of the College of Cardinals, who are responsible for electing the new pope in a conclave held within the Sistine Chapel.
Pope Francis, known for his reformist approach and focus on social justice, passed away after more than a decade of leading the global Catholic community. His death marks the end of a significant era in the Church’s history.
The upcoming election will result in the selection of the 267th pope, who will be tasked with continuing the spiritual and administrative leadership of over 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide.
The Vatican is expected to release more details in the coming days regarding funeral arrangements and the official timeline for the papal conclave.
