A conclave to choose a new pope normally takes place 15 to 20 days after the death of a pontiff, meaning this conclave should not start before May 6.

Francis did away with that sort of viewing. Instead, a procession brought his coffin on Wednesday directly to St. Peter’s Basilica, where a public viewing is taking place. Francis’ body, dressed in papal vestments, his head covered with a white bishop’s miter, is lying in state to allow tens of thousands of mourners to bid farewell.

Pope Francis died at age 88 on Monday, April 21, the Vatican announced. Cue the real-life Conclave. JD Vance is being slammed online after he broke one of the most notorious Vatican rules during his Easter weekend visit.

The cause of Pope Francis’ death was released after the Pope died on Easter Monday at the age of 88. Per the Vatican, the Pope died due to a stroke, followed by a coma and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse,