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NATCHEZ – The worldwide attention on the death of Pope Francis and the process to select a new pontiff comes as no surprise to the Very Rev. Aaron Williams.

Williams, who is rector of St. Mary Basilica in Natchez, joined with nearly 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide on Monday to mourn the death of Pope Francis, who served more than 12 years as Bishop of Rome and head of the Catholic church.

Pope Francis died at the age of 88 after battling health issues, including a five-week hospitalization earlier this year.

“What’s remarkable is that traditionally on Easter Sunday, the Pope comes to the balcony and offers a blessing to the crowds gathered,” Williams said. “And he was able to do that.”

And while the pontiff’s death on Easter Monday was surprising in its timing, it was not unexpected.

“I could tell, watching the blessing, that he was not well. He has been suffering for so long,” Williams said.

Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born on Dec. 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and entered the Society of Jesus at age 21. Following his ordination in 1969, he served as a Jesuit provincial, seminary rector, and professor before St. John Paul II appointed him auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires in 1992. He became archbishop of the Argentine capital in 1998 and was created cardinal in 2001.  The surprise election of Cardinal Bergoglio on March 13, 2013, at age 76 marked several historic firsts: He became the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Americas, and the first to choose the name Francis, inspired by St. Francis of Assisi’s devotion to poverty, peace, and creation.

With his funeral set for Saturday, the lengthy process of selecting his successor has begun.

During the leadership transition period, known as the interregnum, there is no Pope in power and the position is declared sede vacante, or “vacant seat.” The election of a new Pope traditionally begins 15 to 20s days after the death, as cardinals from across the world are called to gather in a conclave. While only 120 cardinals under the age of 80 are selected to participate in the voting process, the general congregation of cardinals began gathering on Tuesday to discuss the growing challenges facing the Catholic Church and the issues a new Pope will face.

Williams explained that the general congregations, which are typically held once or twice a year, have been sparse since the COVID pandemic. That, combined with the fact that more than 110 cardinals were appointed during Pope Francis’ tenure, means “that the majority of these cardinals don’t know each other well,” Williams said. “The cardinals normally don’t begin discussing issues until after the funeral. But Cardinal Re began calling them to Rome (on Monday). I imagine that’s because the guys don’t know each other well.”

Once the conclave begins, the cardinals will be sequestered until a new Pope is elected. They will vote up to four times each day in secret ballots until one candidate receives a two-thirds majority vote. As the paper ballots are burned after each vote, the smoke from the chimney will alert the world to the results – black smoke for no decision; white smoke signifying the election of a new Pope, who will be introduced to the world within hours of the vote.

Williams knows the impact of the process on Catholics and young people. “I was in seventh grade when (Pope Benedict) was elected,” he said. “And I was in seminary when Pope Francis was elected. Father Mark (Shoffner) and I were in charge of ringing the bells when we saw the white smoke.”

And he said it’s no surprise that the election of a new Pope generates worldwide interest among leaders as well as church faithful.

“The Pope is not a politician,” Williams said. “But his title Pontifex Maximus literally means great bridge-builder.” The role of serving as the bridge-builder and moral compass for the world is one of the greatest challenges for the next Pope.

“The world is in such a charged political state,” Williams said. “Everything is on low boil right now, and the pope’s – historically speaking – have been involved in (the global political issues).”

And for Catholics, that presents an opportunity for prayer.

“We, as Catholics, will be praying for Pope Francis and his soul, but we also have to pray for the cardinals,” Williams said. “We pray for their guidance and wisdom.”