Pope Francis has died at the age of 88 after 12 years at the head of the Roman Catholic Church.

After Pope Francis' death, the papal conclave will convene within 15 to 20 days. Under strictly closed doors, the cardinals - limited in number to 120 under current canonical regulations - will gather in the Sistine Chapel. A solemn Mass will mark the beginning of this sacred process, in which the Church seeks her new shepherd.
On the afternoon of the first day, the first vote takes place. After each one, the ballots are burned: black smoke announces that no consensus has been reached, while white smoke coming from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel announces to the world that a new pope has been elected.
A stroke was the cause of Pope Francis' death
While an election can happen in a day, history has known far longer, dramatic conclaves:
The longest conclaves
Duration: 2 years and 9 months
Location: Viterbo, Italy (1268-1271)
Reason: A deep division between French and Italian cardinals. In desperation, local authorities locked up the cardinals and even removed the roof of the building to speed up the election.
Pope Gregory X
Conclave of 1314-1316.
Duration: 2 years and 3 months
Lyon, France
Reason: Political infighting between French and Italian factions.
Pope John XXII
Conclave of 1415-1417.
2 years
Constance, Germany (in the framework of the Council of Constance)
Reason: An attempt to end the Great Western Schism, when three claimants argued over the throne.
The election of Pope Martin V ends the schism
The shortest conclaves
October 1503.
Duration.
Pope Julius II
Background: Giuliano della Rovere was an influential cardinal and was widely acclaimed - he was elected almost immediately after the conclave opened.
March 1939.
1 day (1-2 March)
Pope Pius XII
Background: Eugenio Pacelli, Secretary of State under the previous Pope Pius XI, is the clear favourite and receives overwhelming support in the third ballot.
April 2005.
Duration: 2 days (18-19 April)
Elected: Pope Benedict XVI
Background: Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, a renowned theologian and dean of the College of Cardinals, is quickly elected after only four votes. | BGNES