A centuries-old process of electing a new spiritual leader now begins

Pope Francis has died at the age of 88, after 12 years as spiritual leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
His death has set in motion the centuries-old process of electing a new Pope.
The Pope is the head of the Catholic Church. Roman Catholics believe he represents a direct line back to Jesus Christ. He is considered a living successor to St Peter, who was chief among Christ’s initial disciples, the Apostles.
That gives him full and unhindered power over the entire Catholic Church and makes him an important source of authority for the world’s roughly 1.4 billion Catholics.
While many Catholics often consult the Bible for guidance, they can also turn to the teachings of the Pope, which govern the Church’s beliefs and practices.

Source: BBC | Language: English