FOLLOWING the death of Pope Francis earlier today in his residence at the Vatican, the Catholic Church has entered into what is called the “Papal Interregnum” – the period between the death of one Pope and the election of another.
Francis, who was 88, died at Casa Santa Marta, his residence in the Vatican, early Monday.
Cardinals must now decide exactly when the funeral can take place, and after that, when conclave can begin. But much of the timeline is predetermined. The Pope’s death triggered the start of nine days of mourning known as the Novendiales, and the Pope must be buried between the fourth and sixth day after death.
In the interim, the Pope will be placed in a coffin, after which he will lie in state for several days until the funeral.
Pope Francis’ body could lie in state in St. Peter’s Basilica for people to come and pay their respects as soon as Wednesday, a Vatican spokesperson said Monday.
It is likely that unofficial events will take place in tandem in Buenos Aires, where Francis lived before becoming the Bishop of Rome. In Warsaw, more than 200,000 gathered at the site where John Paul II, then Karol Wojtyla, returned as the new pope in 1979.
Then, at the end of the period of mourning, a large funeral Mass will take place at St. Peter’s. This is historically a huge event, with dignitaries expected from around the world. John Paul II’s funeral was attended by then-President George W. Bush and his two predecessors, Bill Clinton and George H. W. Bush.
If Francis has made a will that details how and when he would like to be buried, those wishes will be taken into account when the funeral is being arranged. While Popes do not have to be buried in St. Peter’s, many have chosen to be buried there.
In December 2023, he told Mexican broadcaster N+ that he wished “to be buried in Santa Maria Maggiore,” a significant Catholic Church and Papal Basilica, in the Italian capital.
1. Period of Sede Vacante and Funeral Rites
With the passing of the pope, the Holy See enters a period known as Sede Vacante (“Vacant See”). During this time, the College of Cardinals assumes collective governance of the Church. The Camerlengo (currently Cardinal Kevin Farrell) oversees the Vatican’s administrative affairs and confirms the pope’s death before arranging the official funeral rites, traditionally held within four to six days.
2. Convocation of the College of Cardinals
The Dean of the College of Cardinals (currently Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re) summons all eligible cardinals to Rome for the conclave—the secret assembly to elect the new pope. Only cardinals under the age of 80 (as of the day the Holy See became vacant) are eligible to vote.
3. Pre-Conclave Meetings (General Congregations)
Before the conclave begins, the cardinals hold daily meetings to discuss the needs of the Church, examine potential candidates, and review the rules of the election. These discussions are crucial in shaping the direction of the next pontificate.
4. The Conclave
The conclave takes place in the Sistine Chapel under strict secrecy. Key steps include:
Swearing an Oath of Secrecy: All participants, including support staff, vow absolute confidentiality.
Isolation from the Outside World: Cardinals are sequestered within the Vatican’s Domus Sanctae Marthae, and all communication with outsiders is prohibited.
Voting Process:
Each cardinal writes a name on a ballot paper with the phrase “Eligo in Summum Pontificem” (“I elect as Supreme Pontiff”).
Ballots are counted, and if no candidate receives a two-thirds majority (or an absolute majority after several rounds, per Pope Francis’ 2022 modification), the votes are burned with chemicals to produce black smoke.
When a pope is elected, white smoke emerges from the Sistine Chapel chimney, accompanied by the ringing of St. Peter’s bells.
5. Acceptance and Proclamation
The elected cardinal is asked if he accepts the papacy. If he agrees, he chooses a papal name, and the Senior Cardinal Deacon (currently Cardinal Renato Martino) announces the new pope to the world with the traditional Latin phrase:
“Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: Habemus Papam!”
(“I announce to you a great joy: We have a Pope!”)
The new pontiff then delivers his first blessing (Urbi et Orbi) from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Why does it matter who becomes pope?
The election of a Pope is a deeply consequential decision for the Catholic Church, whose followers number some 1.4 billion around the world, according to the Vatican.
The record and beliefs of the next man to take the mantle will be scrutinized for clues as to the church’s next move.
Francis’ election was seen as something of a surprise; the first non-European leader in centuries, whose approach to many social issues was less strict than that of his predecessors.
Though he did not radically alter Catholic practices, Francis surprised global observers with comments on homosexuality and the death penalty that were far more accepting than Benedict XVI. Whether the cardinals choose to continue down that path, or revert towards a hardline interpreter of biblical teachings, will be one question that hangs over the election.
Information for this article were sourced from the internet
