The first thing the new pope will do is choose a name. In the history of the papacy, the most commonly used name has been John, first chosen in 523 by Saint John I, the Vatican says. The last pope to choose that name was Italian Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, elected Pope John XXIII, in 1958. Roncalli was proclaimed a saint by Pope Francis in 2014.

Pope Francis's death at means the Catholic Church must choose a new leader. On May 7, Catholic cardinals began the selection process for the next pope.

The College of Cardinals was set to begin its election of the next pope Wednesday in Rome following the death of Pope Francis on April 21.