As Christians around the world marked the start of paschal celebrations, many hearts were heavy with grief over the passing of Pope Francis. 

Here at home, the faithful gathered for a Requiem mass led by Archbishop Ryan Jimenez.

“In the name of the father, and of the son, and of the Holy Spirit. Peace be with you. I am grateful to all of you for coming here tonight so that as one community we can pray together for our beloved Holy Father, Pope Francis,” said Jimenez. 

Elected pope in March 2013, Pope Francis sought to bring the church into the modern world. 

He was the first Latin-American pope, a Jesuit and first to choose the name Francis.

He openly voiced his advocacy for global equality, protecting the environment, peace, and mending relationships between religious communities.

“His simplicity, humility, his love for the poor, and more. We mourn our loss for a great servant-leader, but we also thank God for Pope Francis and his twelve years of ministry,” said Jimenez. 

Breaking tradition, he chose not  to live at the papal palace, but rather in a guest house apartment. 

He also appointed more women to influential positions within the church than any of his predecessors.

“Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, was a man of moral courage and deep conviction,” said Jimenez. “He taught us how to love and care for the earth.”

His funeral is set for Saturday, but already, attention turns towards who will be next to lead the church.

When a pope resigns or dies, after two weeks of mourning, a top secret conclave begins.

All eligible cardinals under 80-years-old from the College of Cardinals, gather in the Sistine Chapel and are virtually locked within until a two-thirds majority vote elects the next pope. 

Once inside the chapel, cardinals take an oath of secrecy. 

Should they leak any information about the election, they risk excommunication.

Voting is done by secret ballot.

After each round of voting, the ballots are burned, black smoke signals no decision, while white smoke means a pope has been elected. 

Once chosen, the new pope accepts the role and selects a papal name. 

The announcement is made to the world with the famous words “habemous papam!” or “we have a pope!”

So, who are some of the top contenders in this conclave?

Among the frontrunners: Cardinal Luis Tagle from the Philippines, Cardinal Pietro Parolin from Italy, and Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa also from Italy.

As the Church looks ahead, many remain rooted in the legacy Pope Francis left behind.