An Irish Cardinal will officially confirm the death of Pope Francis if he passes away in the near future. 

The Pontiff is still hospitalised in a critical condition with pneumonia; however, the Vatican has said his condition has slightly improved in recent days.

Church officials added that the 88-year-old is now eating “normally” and “can move”. 

If, however, Pope Francis does die, Dublin-born Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who serves as the Church's camerlengo, will have an important duty to perform. 

“When a Pope dies, a person called the camerlengo, he is the one who confirms his death,” theologian Gina Menzies told The Hard Shoulder. 

“In the past, it used to be a tap on the forehead with a silver spoon and calling his name. 

“But now, obviously, science has taken over.” 

Pope Francis blesses crowds in The Vatican. Picture by: Linda Schaefer / Alamy

The camerlengo then informs all the Vatican’s top officials of the Pope’s passing and orders that the Papal apartments are sealed off. 

“The other interesting thing is, he takes the signet ring of the Pope - which is like a signature and that is destroyed,” Ms Menzies said. 

“Because every Pope has their own signet ring - that is like their seal on documents.

“The Vatican then goes into nine days of official mourning [and] a funeral takes place approximately a week after that.” 

Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis. Picture by: Realy Easy Star/Alamy Live News

Between two or three weeks later, Cardinals from across the world gather in Rome for a conclave. 

It is this ancient forum that elects a new head of the Roman Catholic Church. 

“They will be locked into the Sistine Chapel, they have to hand over their laptops, their phones - all of the documents,” she said. 

“They will vote approximately four, maybe five times a day. 

“The one who is elected must win two-thirds of the vote to be elected.” 

Once elected, the Pope serves for life - or resignation. 

Pope Francis’ predecessor, Pope Benedict, made history when he became the first Pontiff to abdicate in almost 600-years.

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Main image: Cardinal Kevin Farrell. Picture by: Alamy.com