The funeral rites for deceased popes last nine days, with burial set between four and six days after their death, in rules that Pope John Paul II laid down himself nine years ago.

In the 1996 Apostolic Constitution, John Paul II amended the regulations for the burial of deceased pontiffs and set very specific rules for selecting a successor to head the Roman Catholic Church.

Once a pope has died it is up to the cardinal camerlengo -- the chamberlain or administrator of the property and finances of the Holy See -- to officially confirm the death.

The post of camerlengo has been held by Cardinal Eduardo Martinez Somalo since 1993.

The Vicar of Rome -- Cardinal Camillo Ruini, who is also the head of the Italian bishops' conference -had the official task of announcing the pope's death to the city.

The dean of the College of Cardinals, Joseph Ratzinger, is charged with informing cardinals and diplomats accredited to the Holy See.