Pope Francis's death comes after a series of health struggles. He held his final public appearance on Easter Sunday.

The election of a new leader of the world’s 1.3 billion Roman Catholics is shrouded in secrecy. Cardinals are forbidden from communicating with the outside world once the conclave begins.

With the death of Pope Francis, announced by the Vatican on Monday, the Roman Catholic Church will begin elaborate rituals steeped in tradition that mark the end of one papacy and lead to the start of the next.