The passing of Pope Francis at the age of 88 marks a significant moment in the Roman Catholic Church, bringing with it a wave of international mourning and the subsequent initiation of time-honored rites associated with the death of a pontiff. Having served as the Church’s spiritual leader for twelve years, his death not only grieves millions but also activates essential protocols for selecting a successor. The process, which unfolds over approximately 15 to 20 days following his death, includes important customs and responsibilities that must be adhered to during this transitional period.
Upon the Pope’s death, immediate duties are taken on by the camerlengo, currently held by Cardinal Kevin Farrell. His role includes officially confirming the Pope’s death alongside a medical doctor, after which a death certificate is issued. Interestingly, in line with traditional practices, no autopsy is performed. The Vatican has since announced that Pope Francis’s body will be placed in a coffin within a chapel at his Saint Martha residence – a fitting venue as it was where he chose to reside instead of the grand Apostolic Palace. During this melancholic time, the camerlengo also manages the practicalities of sealing the Pope’s residence, destroying the Pope’s papal ring, and establishing a comprehensive mourning schedule.
The mourning period typically spans nine days, commencing between the fourth and sixth day post-death. Cardinal Farrell and a select team of three cardinals will also determine when the Pope’s body is to be moved to St. Peter’s Basilica to allow the public to pay their final respects. This phase symbolizes not only a time of grief but also a transition into the electoral process for choosing a new Pope.
During this mourning period, attention shifts toward the funeral, which is expected to reflect Pope Francis’s preference for simplicity over opulence—a contrast to traditional papal funerals. He explicitly opted against the conventional raised platform for public viewing, instead favoring an open coffin approach, allowing mourners to pay homage without the formality typically associated with such ceremonies. Consequently, the funeral mass is slated to occur within four to six days after his passing, held at St. Peter’s Square, emphasizing a more humble approach while still honoring the occasion’s gravity.
Once the mourning period concludes, the conclave is initiated to select a new pope. This influential assembly comprises cardinals from across the globe who convene in the Sistine Chapel, completely isolated from outside communications. The process of voting typically requires a two-thirds majority, resulting in multiple rounds of voting, which can stretch for days or even weeks. During this time, two crucial indicators signal the voting’s progress—black smoke indicates a failed vote, while white smoke heralds the selection of a new leader.
The ability to choose the new papal leader is confined primarily to the College of Cardinals, which comprises both eligible voting members and those over the age of 80 who can participate in discussions. Following Pope Francis’s death, there are currently 252 cardinals, with 138 allowed to cast ballots. In the vacuum left by the Pope’s passing, the College of Cardinals temporarily manages the Church’s administration while still bound by the limitations of authority until a new pope is officially elected and installed.
Communicating the name of the new Pope to the public follows an established tradition. Once a candidate is elected, the senior cardinal announces “Habemus Papam,” initiating a wave of excitement among church members and the world alike. The newly elected Pope will appear on the balcony of St. Peter’s Square, embodying the energy of the Church’s leadership and engaging with the faithful.
While any baptized Roman Catholic man can technically be elected as Pope, the reality generally steers cardinals toward selecting one of their own kind. This electoral process shapes not only the future direction of the Church but embodies a deep-rooted connection among its members and their spiritual leader, emphasizing the papacy’s role in guiding approximately 1.4 billion Roman Catholics globally. The repercussions of Pope Francis’s death extend far beyond a single moment in time, reflecting a multifaceted process of change and continuity within a revered institution.