What happens after Pope Francis’s death: Vatican traditions and the path to electing a new pontiff
VITACAN CITY, 21 April — Pope Francis’s passing today initiates centuries-old customs that will ultimately result in
the election of a new pope by cardinals, albeit with certain modifications.
Here is how the process unfolds:
Sede Vacante
A senior cardinal assumes daily management of the Catholic Church until a new pope is elected during a time known
as “Sede Vacante” (Vacant See).
In this instance, Irish-American Kevin Farrell will serve as the cardinal, also known as the “camerlengo” or
“chamberlain,” having been nominated by Francis in February 2019.
After the pope’s death, all other high-ranking officials in the Church hierarchy were forced to step down, leaving him
as the only one still in office.
His primary responsibility has historically been to confirm the death, which is accomplished by yelling the pope’s
birth name and pounding his forehead three times with a special silver hammer.
The Camerlengo is also accused of destroying the “Fisherman’s Ring,” a gold signet ring that was traditionally used
to seal papers and was specially cast for each new pope.
but its original purpose was to stop forgeries.
Simpler funeral
A series of gatherings known as “general congregations” will be held by cardinals from all across the world.
They will plan the “novemdiales,” or nine days of mourning, and choose a burial date, which must fall between the
fourth and sixth days following death.
Francis requested to be buried in Rome’s Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica, although his immediate predecessors were interred in the Vatican’s St. Peter’s Basilica.
Once again breaking tradition, his remains will be interred in a single coffin composed of wood and zinc. Popes have
historically been interred in three coffins, one inside the other, composed of elm, lead, and cypress.
The shift in burial rites was better represent what Francis sees as the role of the pope as “a pastor and disciple of
Christ, and not of a powerful man of this world”, a top official said.
The custom of papal remains being displayed on an elevated platform supported by cushions will come to an end
when Francis’s open casket is laid out for the faithful to venerate in St. Peter’s Basilica.
The conclave
Another useful tool for screening Francis’s possible heirs, or “papabili,” are the general congregations.
Conclave dates shall be decided by the congregations to start at least 15 and no later than 20 days following the
pope’s passing.
Cardinals under the age of 80 gather in private to select the next pope from among their peers under a system that
dates back to the 13th century.
There are currently 135 so-called “cardinal electors,” 108 of whom Francis appointed.
Twenty are from North America, eighteen are from Africa, twenty-three are from Asia, four are from Oceania,
seventeen are from South America, and fifty-three are from Europe.
Conclave literally means “with a key”, reflecting the fact the cardinals must stay until a new pope is found.
The Sistine Chapel, a Renaissance gem featuring Michelangelo’s renowned frescoes, has served as the venue for all
conclaves since the late 19th century.
During the voting, the cardinals are sworn to complete confidentiality under threat of excommunication.
Until one candidate receives two-thirds of the vote, there are two ballots in the morning and two in the afternoon
every day.
The church burns the ballots in a burner at the conclusion of each session, spewing smoke over the Apostolic Palace.
After every failed poll, the smoke turns black; after a successful vote, it turns white.
To go with the white smoke, St. Peter’s bells will ring.
Habemus papam!
Once elected, the new pope will be led into a tiny sacristy by the Sistine Chapel known as the “sala delle lacrime”, or
Room of Tears, where he can ponder his future.
He immediately becomes the pope and the bishop of Rome after the newly elected pontiff is asked if he accepts his
election and what name he would like to use by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the dean of the College of Cardinals.
The cardinals honour the new pope one by one as he is assisted into his robes, of which three sets of varying sizes are
prepared.
He then makes an appearance on St. Peter’s Basilica’s loggia. The well-known Latin phrase “Habemus Papam!” will
then be said by the senior cardinal deacon, who is now Renato Raffaele Martino. (A pope is here!).
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