Day 1: Immediately Following the Pope’s Death
- The papal chamberlain (camerlengo), currently Cardinal Kevin Farrell, temporarily takes over the church’s reins.
- The camerlengo’s first task is to officially confirm the Pope’s death, typically with attending doctors making the determination.
- The tradition of confirming death by tapping the forehead with a hammer is a myth.
- Once death is confirmed, the camerlengo announces in Latin, “Vere, Franciscus mortus est” (“Truly, Francis is dead”).
- The chief administrator of the Diocese of Rome then announces the Pope’s death to the city of Rome, effectively informing the world.
- Church bells toll in St. Peter’s Square and across Rome, and Vatican flags are lowered to half-staff.
- Emails are sent to summon cardinals to the Vatican.
- The camerlengo secures the Pope’s room, takes inventory, determines if there’s a will, authorizes the death certificate, seals the room, and posts a guard.
- The deceased Pope is dressed in red funeral vestments over his white cassock.
- The camerlengo takes control of the Fisherman’s Ring, which will be symbolically replaced after a new Pope is chosen.
- The Vatican no longer mints coins or medals commemorating the Sede Vacante due to the short interregnum and the use of the euro.
Day 2: The General Congregation
- The College of Cardinals gathers in a general congregation to discuss funeral plans and the process of choosing a successor.
- All eligible cardinals who can participate in the election council (those under 80) will attend.
- The group decides the date of the funeral (typically 4-6 days after death).
- They also decide when the Pope’s body will lie in state in St. Peter’s Basilica as part of the “Novemdiales” (nine-day mourning period).
- The conclave to elect the new Pope must meet 15 to 20 days after the death.
- This delay allows cardinals from around the world to travel to Rome, which is increasingly important due to Pope Francis appointing more cardinals from diverse global regions.
Preparing the Body
- The Pope’s body is placed in three caskets: cypress, metal, and elm or oak.
- Symbolic vestments are placed alongside the body, including the miter and crozier.
- After being blessed with holy water, the Pope’s face is covered with white silk.
- A small bag of coins minted during the Pope’s reign is placed in the coffin.
- A legal document (rogito) detailing the Pope’s life and works is read, signed, and placed in the coffin, with a copy going to the Vatican archives.
- Traditionally, the Pope is buried holding a rosary, death certificate, and the broken Fisherman’s Ring.
- The body may or may not be embalmed; some Popes have been treated for preservation during viewing.
- The coffin is sealed in the presence of senior Vatican officials and cardinals, who sing Psalm 42.
The Funeral
- The Pope’s body is expected to lie in state at St. Peter’s Basilica for three days before the funeral.
- The funeral always takes place at the Vatican, in St. Peter’s Square if weather permits.
- The 2½-hour service is mostly in Latin and follows a conventional Catholic funeral format with papal rituals.
- The Swiss Guards kneel during the consecration of the host.
- A homily, not a eulogy, is delivered about the Pope’s life.
- The event requires significant security measures.
- After the service, the body is carried through the “door of death” while a 10-ton funeral bell tolls, and the congregation chants Psalms.
- Pope Francis Phas requested to be buried at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, but this is not guaranteed as the College of Cardinals has the final say.
- A procession of senior cardinals and officials leads to the crypt in the Vatican Grottoes, where many past Popes are buried.
- The cypress coffin is sealed with red ribbons and papal seals before being placed in the metal and then the elm coffin, which is then lowered into the crypt.
The Conclave
- This secret council of cardinals meets in the Sistine Chapel to elect a new Pope.
- Up to 120 cardinals under the age of 80 can participate.
- The conclave meets 15 to 20 days after the Pope’s death.
- The term “conclave” means “with key,” dating back to when electors were locked in until a Pope was chosen.
- Each elector swears an oath of secrecy.
- The master of ceremonies announces “Extra omnes” (“Everyone out”) to begin the secret proceedings.
- Voting begins on the first day, with up to four ballots daily, pausing for a day of prayer after the fifth day.
- A two-thirds majority is required to elect a new Pope.
- Cardinals stay at the Casa Santa Marta and are bound by an oath of secrecy.
- Two stoves in the Sistine Chapel signal the outcome: black smoke for no election, white smoke for a new Pope.
- Bells also announce the election of a new Pope.
- Historically, a long conclave can suggest a lack of strong consensus on the winning candidate.
Choosing a New Pope
- When a new Pope is elected, the dean of the College of Cardinals asks if he accepts (“Accepto”).
- Upon acceptance, he becomes the new Pope and the leader of Vatican City.
- The dean asks the new Pope by which name he wishes to be known.
- The new Pope is taken to the “Room of Tears” to put on papal vestments and receive the Fisherman’s Ring.
- He then returns to the chapel to receive prayers of thanksgiving from the cardinals.
- The bells of St. Peter’s ring and white smoke rises from the Sistine Chapel chimney to announce the election.
- Within a week, an installation Mass is held, attended by heads of state and all cardinals, symbolizing the Church’s global reach.
