TROY, Ala. (TROJANVISION) — The Catholic Church is reeling following the death of Pope Francis, a man who served as the head of the church for 12 years.

“Pope Francis was much more a man of action,” said Father Chris Boutin of St. Martin of Tours Catholic Parish. “He took what his predecessors had done over the centuries and gave it meat and bones and really put it into action.”

Pope Francis made history during his time in papacy. Not only was he the first Pope of Latin American descent, but he also made very progressive moves for the church.

“He once again kind of pointed to the church and said go to the peripheries, go to those you don’t see, go to those hurting and that’s the impact we really focused on during his papacy,” Boutin explained. “I think for twelve years we really had a heart for the people that society had forgot about.”

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After laying Pope Francis to rest, the next step is the Conclave.

“The cardinals are together and they’re looking at the future of the church,” Boutin told TrojanVision. “They’re looking at the needs in various places and they’re kind of talking amongst themselves about who would be fit for the position.”

When the next Pope is selected, officials at the Vatican will release white smoke as the signal.