About 60 cardinals gathered this week to initiate the process of electing a new pope following the death of Pope Francis. According to Zenit, the College of Cardinals gathered at the first General Congregation, an assembly held inside the New Synod Hall, to launch the process that would result in the election of a new pope. They reaffirmed their commitment to the Church's protocols during the sede vacante, which is considered to be the period between papacies.

Several key decisions were made during the assembly, including establishing funeral arrangements, drawing lots for the commission that assists the Camerlengo, and pausing all beatification ceremonies until the election of the next pope.

As Crosswalk Headlines previously reported, Pope Francis passed away on Monday at the age of 88. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Francis was the first Latin America pope and as well as first pope from the Society of Jesus (the Jesuit Order).

In the weeks leading up to his death, Francis spent 5 weeks in Rome's Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital due to a long battle with respiratory illness.

According to Vatican News, Francis' cause of death was a result of a stroke, followed by a coma and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse.

His funeral is set to take place this Saturday on the parvis of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, The Christian Post reported. President Donald Trump and his wife, First Lady Melania Trump, are expected to be in attendance.

"We look forward to being there!" Trump wrote on Truth Social.

At the present time, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who served as camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, is leading the Vatican until a new pope is elected.

"[Pope Francis] taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized," Farrell said in announcing the death of Francis.

"With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God."

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