The Vatican is closing the Sistine Chapel to the public as part of its preparations for the conclave to elect the next pope after the death of Pope Francis.

With the funeral of Pope Francis concluded, preparations are under way for the beginning of the Papal Conclave, which will see the eligible members of the College of Cardinals enter isolation and vote on who becomes the new pope.

Pope Francis's death at the age of 88 means the Catholic Church must choose a new leader. Here's how cardinals elect the next pontiff at the conclave.

The conclave is a time-honored process conducted in secrecy behind the locked doors of the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel.