Pope Francis’ funeral rites are likely to take place in three stages, as the world prepares to farewell the 88-year-old pontiff. In a departure from tradition, Pope Francis made it clear as early as 2015 that he wished to be buried in a simple ceremony, a request at odds with the elaborate funerals of previous Popes. This is not the only change in tradition, as the head of the Roman Catholic Church requested to be buried in a simple underground tomb in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, and not at St. Peter’s Basilica, where previous popes have been buried. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today What to expect from the popes’ funeral: Stage One The first stage takes place after medical professionals have certified the popes’ death, where the popes chief of staff, the camerlengo, will formally call the pope by the full given name, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, three times. The camerlengo will then break a ring worn by the pope, which also acts as a seal for important documents, using a hammer, before the popes personal apartments are locked up, with none allowed to enter. The popes body will then lay in rest inside his private chapel. Mourners gathered in St Peter's Square to mark the death of Pope Francis. Credit: AAP Stage Two Pope Francis will be placed in a coffin wearing a simple white vestment and his body carried through to St. Peter’s Basilica for public viewing. His body will be able to be viewed by the public for three days before his funeral, which is likely to take place in St Peter’s Square, with dignitaries from all over the world expected to attend. The funeral will be led by the dean of the College of Cardinals, Giovanni Battista Re, who is currently 91-years-old. The dean is also assigned with running the Vatican until a new pope is elected. The funeral will be led by the dean of the College of Cardinals, Giovanni Battista Re. Credit: Lukas Coch / AAP Stage Three The burial is expected to take place about six days after the death of the pope. Pope Francis has broken from tradition and requested not to be buried in the Vatican Grottoes on the lower level of Saint Peter’s Basilica, where previous popes have been buried. Instead, he requested to be buried in a simple wooden coffin at Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome’s Esquilino, where no pope has been buried since the 17th century. The conclave to elect a new pope will usually begin within 15 to 20 days after the death of the current pope, where cardinal electors will meet in the Sistine Chapel and begin the voting process. If white smoke is seen through a chimney, it means a new pope has been elected.