Catholics across the country will join the world to mourn the passing of Pope Francis, as an Australian cardinal prepares to cast his vote on who becomes the next pontiff.
* What happens now?
The general public can begin paying their final respects to Pope Francis from Wednesday in St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City.
The coffin of Francis will be moved from the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta hotel, where he lived, to St Peter's Basilica for public viewing.
Cardinals will confirm the public viewing arrangements when they gather for the first time after Francis' death on Tuesday morning, local time (evening AEST).
The funeral arrangements, including a date, will also be discussed. A funeral must be held between four and six days following the death of a pope.
It is expected to take place at St Peter's Square, outside St Peter's Basilica, which can fit about 300,000 people.
* Who will attend the funeral?
Hundreds of thousands of mourners are expected to converge in Rome over coming days, with many Australians expected to attend, including in a more official capacity Governor-General Sam Mostyn and Australian cardinal Mykola Bychok.
The most senior representative of the Australian church, Australian Catholic Bishops Conference president Archbishop of Perth Timothy Costelloe, is expected to be in Rome.
Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher and Melbourne Archbishop Peter Comensoli could also attend.
* Where can Australians pay their respects?
Prayer services will be held across the country in coming days.
The Archbishop of Melbourne Peter Comensoli attended a 1pm Mass at St Patrick's Cathedral on Tuesday.
A Memorial Mass for Pope Francis will be celebrated in St Francis Xavier's Cathedral in Adelaide at 11am on Sunday, April 27.
Archbishop Comensoli will also lead a public celebration of a Solemn Pontifical Mass for the repose of the Soul of Pope Francis on Monday, April 28, at St Patrick's Cathedral, from 1pm.
* Will any Australians help decide who the new Pope is?
Melbourne-based, Ukrainian-born Cardinal Bychok will be the only Australian to help elect Pope Francis's successor.
Cardinal Bychok was on his way to the Middle East on a pilgrimage when news of Pope Francis's death broke, but he will divert to Rome as soon as possible.
* How long will it take to choose a new pope?
A nine-day mourning period, called Novendiales, will take place before a conclave to elect a new pope can begin.
During this time, celebrants worldwide will celebrate Mass for the deceased Pope.
Church rules state the conclave must begin between 15 and 20 days after the death of the pope.
They will meet behind locked doors at the Sistine Chapel and, while all 252 members of the College of Cardinals can attend, only those aged under 80 can vote. As of Tuesday, 138 are eligible to vote.
There's no limit to how long the process can take, the longest conclave in history lasted 34 months.
* How will we know a new pope has been chosen?
White smoke is released to announce a new pope has been selected.
The newly elected Pope will then greet the world on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica where he will make an address.
