Pope Francis passed on yesterday, Easter Monday (21 Apr) at the age of 88, and while the world mourns him, the Vatican is also in preparation to pick the new pope. 

But how's the new pope chosen? Here's a quick rundown. 

When a pope passes on, or resigns (rarely happens), the Catholic Church enters a period called the sede vacante. This translates to empty seat, as there is no one sitting on the throne of St. Peter. 

After the passing...

The late pope's ring and seal, which are used to dispatch papal documents (documents by the Pope), are broken to stop anyone else from using them.

During this time a cardinal known as the camerlengo or chamberlain also becomes interim chief of the church, but with limited powers.

Sede vacante usually lasts several weeks while the former pope's body lies in state, his funeral is held and the cardinals prepare to vote for the new pope.

The Cardinal Electors

The conclave (a gathering of the cardinals worldwide) takes place in the Sistine Chapel, in Vatican City. 

Only cardinals under the age of 80 (cardinal electors) are allowed to participate in the conclave and cast their vote for the new pope.

Currently, there are 252 cardinals, 135 of whom are cardinal electors. 53 (Europe), 23 (Asia), 20 (North America), 18 (Africa), 17 (South America) and 4 (Oceania).

The country with the most cardinals who can vote is Italy (17), the US (10) and Brazil (7).

The Conclave

When the conclave begins, it doesn't end until a new pope is chosen. The cardinals will remain isolated in the Sistine Chapel, and even sleep in the Casa Santa Marta hotel inside the Vatican.

While the conclave is ongoing, the cardinals are not allowed to communicate with the outside world; no telephones, no internet, no newspapers.

Except for the first day, when only one ballot is held, the cardinals hold two daily balloting sessions until one candidate has a majority of two-thirds plus one. 

They are all also sworn to secrecy about the voting.

White Smoke

Do not not believe everything you see on tv kids, because this part's fr. 

If the cardinals have not reached a majority, the cards and the tally sheets are burned with an additive to produce black smoke, showing the outside world that no pope yet.

If no result has been reached in 3 days, the sessions are suspended for 1 day to allow for prayer and discussion. More ballots are then held until a two-thirds majority is reached.

When enough cardinals agree on a candidate, that candidate is then asked if he accepts and by which name he wishes to be known.

Then the ballots are burned as before, but this time with an additive to produce white smoke.

And Bing-bop-boom-boom-boom-bop-bam new Pope

The new pope puts on his papal robes, and sits on a throne in the Sistine Chapel. The other cardinals come to pay their respects and pledge their loyalty to the new leader.

Then, the senior cardinal deacon steps onto the central balcony of St Peter's Basilica and announces in Latin: "I announce to you a great joy. We have a pope," while revealing the new pope's name plus the name he has chosen.

The new pope then appears on the balcony to deliver his first public pontifical greeting and bless the crowds in St Peter's Square.