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Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI dead: The question is: How is a former pontiff buried?

Former Pope Benedict XVI dies aged 95 in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican, Vatican News announces. [AP Photo]

The Vatican has detailed rituals and procedures to follow when a pope dies, but it has not published such rules for a pope emeritus. As a result, official word Wednesday that the health of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI had worsened prompted questions about what happens if and when he dies.

The answer is: There is no specific answer, at least not one the Vatican has announced ahead of time. The only thing certain is that the most important ritual following the death of a pope -- a conclave to elect a new one -- does not apply.

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