EXPLAINER: What happens next and who is in the running after Pope Francis' death?

The funeral arrangements for Pope Francis were announced by the Vatican on Tuesday morning after the Pontiff passed away on Easter Monday aged 88.

Following months of poor health, Pope Francis suffered a stroke on Monday not long after his last public appearance for the Vatican's Easter celebrations. 

It has now been confirmed that the funeral will take place on Saturday, 27 April at 9am (Irish time.) This will then mark the start of the first of nine days of mourning. 

The election of a pope is a complex and deeply historical process which can take days. So, what happens next?

Who is in charge now?

After the death of a pope, or even resignation, the Church enters a period called 'sede vacante' which means 'empty seat.'

During 'sede vacante', the Camerlengo, or chamberlain, is in charge in place of the pope. Currently, the Camerlengo in charge after Pope Francis' death is an Irish-born American Cardinal called Kevin Farrell. 

Cardinal Farrell was the one who announced the pope's death on Monday. 

Conclave and the cardinals

Since the death of Pope Francis, cardinals have gathered in the Vatican to plan the funeral and eventually elect the next pope. 

There are 252 cardinals across the world which form the College of Cardinals. Responsibility for all Vatican affairs fall on them during the period between popes. 

However, of this number, just 135 are eligible to be cardinal electors and they are who gather to choose a new pope in the process known as conclave. 

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A conclave typically takes place between 15 and 20 days after the death of a pope and can last for several days. 

Who are in the running to be the next pope? 

There are a few front runners for who will be the next pope, but given the highly secretive nature of the conclave there will be no further indications as to who it could be until it is formally announced by the Vatican. 

Among those named as the potential future pontiff is the Italian Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa. The 60-year-old is the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and has committed himself to crises in the Middle East. 

Fellow Italian, 70-year-old Pietro Parolin is also considered a frontrunner. Parolin is the Vatican's Secretary of State and a high ranking figure in the Vatican. 

Matteo Zuppi is another Italian cardinal on the list of those likely to replace Pope Francis. The 69-year-old is the president of the Episcopal Conference of Italy and Archbishop of Bologna. Zuppi is considered to be a very progressive choice.

59-year-old Jose Tolentino de Mendonca is one of the youngest candidates. He is the prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education. Some consider the Portuguese cardinal's age to actually be a factor against him in the election. Likewise, he is also considered a progressive and so a controversial choice.

The Hungarian cardinal Péter Erdo is another candidate on the list. The 72-year-old was on the ballot in the last conclave. He has served as the president of the Council of the Bishops' Conferences of Europe.

Luis Antonio Tagle from the Philippines could make history as the first Asian pope, if he was elected. The 67-year-old was a former archbishop in Manila. This region has one of the fastest growing Catholic populations in the world. Some suggest he was considered one of Pope Francis' preferred successors. 

Another contender is 79-year-old Robert Sarah from Guinea. Sarah is an Orthodox cardinal whose views are grounded in more traditional Catholic values. If elected, he could be the first black pope in centuries. 

Likewise, Peter Turkson from Ghana could also be the first black pope in centuries if he was elected. The 76-year-old cardinal was appointed Prefect of the new Department for the Service of the Integral Human Development. He has been outspoken on issues such as poverty and the climate crisis.