Pope Francis died aged 88 on the morning of Easter Monday. The 266th pontiff passed away at 6.35am BST (7.35am local time), the Vatican announced. Now, thoughts will turn to Francis' funeral, which will be governed by plans approved by the Pope himself to ensure the ceremony is simplified. The ceremony will be held in St Peter’s Square, and must take place between four and six days after the Pope's death.

There is an exception, however, and the schedule an be altered due to unspecified “special reasons”, according to new rules approved in 1996. The Vatican will now take part in an official period of mourning of nine days. After the funeral, Francis' body will lie in state. His coffin will be carried through the “door of death” on the left side of the main altar in the basilica as a single bell is tolled. Previous pontiffs were traditionally buried in three nested coffins made of cypress, lead and oak.

However, Francis has chosen a simple wooden coffin lined with zinc.

In addition, the Argentinian has dispensed with the placing of the Pope's body on a raised platform, referred to as a catafalque.

This is usually in St Peter's Basilica and made available for public viewing. Mourners will be able to pay their respects instead while his the pontiff's body is inside the coffin.

The lid will be removed. The departed Pope will also be the first in more than 100 years to be buried outside of the Vatican.

Francis will be laid to rest in one of four major papal basilicas in Rome, the Basilica of St Mary Major.

Immediately after his passing, officials will certify his death by calling out his name three times.

The Pope's apartment doors will then be sealed with red ribbons, his desk will be locked, and his papal ring will be broken with shears.

This is all overseen by the pontiff's chief of staff, known as the camerlengo.

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