“He said he was praying for us, blessed us, and thanked us for our prayers,” said Father Gabriel Romanelli, summarizing Pope Francis’ call on April 19, just before the Easter Vigil at St. Peter’s Basilica.

With the death of Pope Francis on Monday, the Catholic Church has entered a mourning period, which will include nine days of Masses offered for the repose of his soul known as the “Novendiales.” 

At the first general congregation of cardinals in Rome on Tuesday, the estimated 60 cardinals in attendance chose the date of Pope Francis’ funeral and suspended beatification celebrations.

Pope Francis’ coffin was carried Wednesday morning in solemn procession to St. Peter’s Basilica, where the late pontiff will lie in state for three days for mourners to pay their final respects and say goodbye.

As of this moment, the chair of St. Peter is vacant — and you may have seen the phrases “sede vacante” and “interregnum” being used to describe the present period. Here’s a breakdown of what those phrases mean.

Words of Francis: Many saw Pope Francis as a grandfatherly figure, especially when he shared bits of practical wisdom on how to get along with one another.

Cardinal William Goh celebrated a memorial Mass for Pope Francis in Singapore on Tuesday, saying the late Holy Father had a “heart for everyone” and was dedicated to leading the Church toward a “new evangelization” through mercy and love.

The start of a papal interregnum brings many terms that may not be familiar to many people, including many Catholics. Here are some of the key words and phrases that will be used throughout the interregnum, especially the conclave to elect the new pope.

Pope Francis’ last public act was a blessing of the entire world on Easter Sunday, delivered from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica — the same place where he was introduced as pope 12 years ago.

The Vatican on Tuesday released the first photos of Pope Francis after his death, showing him dressed in red vestments and lying in a simple wooden coffin inside the chapel of the Santa Marta guesthouse.

The Words of Pope Francis: A collection of quotes that reflect Pope Francis’ vision for a more compassionate and Christ-centered world.

Pope Francis’ funeral Mass will be held Saturday, April 26 at 10 a.m. in St. Peter’s Square, led by Cardinal Re. He will be buried at St. Mary Major Basilica.

The Vatican has released Pope Francis’ testament following his death on Easter Monday, April 21, at age 88 in Casa Santa Marta. He led the Church for just over 12 years.

The Holy See on Monday evening released the death certificate detailing the cause of death of Pope Francis, who died in his Vatican apartment at 7:35 a.m. in Rome on April 21, the day after Easter.

World leaders from around the globe released statements of mourning and remembrance on Monday in response to the death of Pope Francis, who passed away Monday morning at age 88.

PHOTOS: The Vatican on Monday evening hosted a praying of the rosary in St. Peter’s Square following the death of Pope Francis earlier in the day.

Following Pope Francis’ death at age 88 on Easter Monday, the Vatican carried out the first stage in the papal funeral rites, called “the rite of the ascertainment of death and deposition in the coffin.”

Following the death of Pope Francis, an Irish-American cardinal is playing a leading role in overseeing Vatican affairs until the election of a new pope.

The Vatican has announced that despite the death of Pope Francis, the Jubilee of Teenagers is still scheduled to take place in Rome beginning this Friday, April 25, through Sunday, April 27.

The Catholic Church has many historical customs and traditions related to the handling of a pope’s mortal remains between the time of his death and his burial.

Priests from around the world mourned the passing of Pope Francis at the Vatican on Monday while reflecting on the late pontiff’s life and historic papacy.

Pope Francis’ death today ends a historic 12-year papacy. The first Latin American and Jesuit pope, he leaves a legacy of reaching society’s margins and challenging a rigid, self-referential Church.

Pope Francis’s death marks the start of the “sede vacante,” when the See of Peter is vacant. This period is rich in centuries-old symbols, traditions, and protocols reflecting the essence of the papacy.

The Vatican announced Monday that the canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis has been postponed following the death of Pope Francis.