Most of the funeral will be celebrated in Latin, and there will be incense and hymns and Gregorian chants. Attended by dozens of heads of state, monarchs and other dignitaries, it will be, in any case, a spectacle. And at the center of it all will be Francis’ simple coffin, on the esplanade of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Hundreds of thousands of mourners were gathering at the Vatican to honor the life of Pope Francis on Saturday morning. But not long after the celebration of life concludes, senior officials of the Catholic Church will meet to discuss his successor.