What Happens After Pope Francis' Passing

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Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Church, has died,

Francis died at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta on Easter Monday, the Vatican’s news service said. He was 88.

“Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father,” Cardinal Kevin Farrell said, announcing Francis’ death on the Vatican’s TV channel.

“His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favour of the poorest and most marginalised.”

The Vatican has a set of succession protocols for what follows the announcement of a pope’s death, marking the end of one papacy and the start of the next.

These have been practised over centuries and some date back to ancient Rome.

Confirmation and funeral preparations

Cardinal Farrell, the pope’s camerlengo or chamberlain, officially confirms the death. He then seals the pope’s private apartment and prepares the funeral.

The camerlengo and three assistants decide when the pope’s coffin will be taken into St Peter’s Basilica for public viewing.

They also make sure the pope’s so-called ‘Fisherman’s Ring’ — a signet ring traditionally given to the Pope during his papal inauguration, which is used to sign and seal documents — and his lead seal are broken so they cannot be used by anyone else. No autopsy is performed.

The death triggers a nine-day mourning period called the Novendiale.

The date of the funeral and burial will be decided by the cardinal. It will likely be held in St Peter’s Square four to six days after the death.

The pope approved funeral protocols for himself last year, opting to cut some of the papal funeral traditions and to simplify some rituals.

Francis said in 2023 he would like to be buried at the Santa Maria Maggiore basilica in Rome, departing from the tradition of almost 100 popes who chose to be buried in the Vatican Grottoes.

Past popes have been buried in three-layered coffins, but Francis has chosen to have a single zinc and wood coffin.

The College of Cardinals oversees day-to-day business during what’s called the interregnum — the period between the death or resignation of a pope and the election of his successor. They have limited power, and much of the central Church administration grinds to a halt.

Electing a new pope

The conclave — a secretive voting ritual to elect a new pope — starts in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel between 15 and 20 days after the death. The cardinals, who are confined to the Vatican for the duration of the conclave, decide the exact day.

All cardinals under the age of 80 can take part in the secret ballot. They need a majority of at least two-thirds plus one to elect the new pope, so the voting can take several rounds spread over numerous days.

When the conclave is concluded, the new pope is asked if he accepts and what name he wishes to take.

The world learns a pope has been elected when an official burns the paper ballots with special chemicals to make white smoke pour from the chapel’s chimney. They use other chemicals to make black smoke, which indicates an inconclusive vote.

The dean of the College of Cardinals steps onto the central balcony of St Peter’s Basilica to announce the new pope, who then appears and gives the crowd his blessing.

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